Carney: We must secure hometown communities first

Responds to the President’s Budget for the Department of Homeland Security Washington - Congressman Christopher P. Carney, Subcommittee Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, released this statement regarding President Bush’s proposed fiscal year 2009 budget for the Department of Homeland Security: “We will never have a secure nation if we do not secure our communities first. The President’s budget slashes grant programs for local firefighters, police officers, and the other emergency service providers, leaving them ill-equipped to respond to our calls for help. The President must keep his promises and divert funds to these areas of need. “I traveled to our border, I saw firsthand what our Customs and Border Protection Officers and Border Patrol agents are doing and that they need further resources to do their jobs. The budget requests funding for only 539 new Customs and Border Protection Officers, which is far fewer than necessary to address security lapses, as cited by a recent GAO report. If we are serious about securing our borders, we must allocate the necessary resources to make sure it happens. “The year ahead brings many challenges. As Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, I know that we need accountability at the Department of Homeland Security if we want to keep our country safe. We must insist the President provide a budget and a plan to sustain the Department and allow it to develop into its role in the nation’s safety.” According to the House Committee on Homeland Security, the President’s budget fails to provide adequate funding to some of the most significant homeland security issues. For example: • The budget includes a $750 million (79%) cut to the State Homeland Security Grant Program. • The President’s budget cuts funding for the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) Grant program by nearly 50% and proposes eliminating the SAFER firefighter staffing program. The President seeks to eliminate funding for the Metropolitan Medical Response System in FY 2009. • Although an improvement, the President’s budget falls short of implementing a common sense border and port security strategy. The budget requests funding for only 539 new Customs and Border Protection Officers, which is far fewer than necessary to address security lapses cited by a recent GAO report. • In addition, the budget requests only $10 million to address deficiencies at CBP-owned ports of entry, which is almost insignificant compared to the need for additional security, new inspection facilities, and replacement of aging infrastructure. The President’s budget enhances aviation security but leaves vulnerable other critical modes of transportation. Despite Congress’ action in the 9/11 bill to significantly increase funding for rail and mass transit security, the Administration’s budget request significantly shortchanges those efforts. The President’s budget fails to support strategic planning and coordination to shield the nation’s critical infrastructure from foreign and domestic terrorism. The President’s budget proposes a $14.1 million cut in resources for the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) Program Management which is the very foundation for infrastructure protection in the United States.