Gold9472
12-03-2007, 09:20 PM
Bush Proposes Dramatic Cuts In Homeland Security Funding
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22053644/
WNBC-TV
updated 6:56 a.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 3, 2007
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration intends to slash counter terrorism funding for police, firefighters and rescue departments nation-wide by more than half next year, according to budget documents obtained by The Associated Press. Watch Video New York would be hard hit by deep cuts, according to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The plan would eliminate programs for port security, transit security and local emergency management operations in the next budget year.
The move comes a year after New York saw a nearly 40-percent cut in its anti-terrorism funding by the Homeland Security Department. The move was decried by city officials including Mayor Michael Bloomberg as a political maneuver. Long Island Congressman Peter King, a Republican, called this year's proposal a "very grave mistake" that "goes totally in the wrong direction," and vowed to do what he could to stop it. Democratic Senator Charles Schumer said targeting essential Homeland Security programs, which protect Americans more than much of the money spent in Iraq shows -- in his words -- how "out of touch this administration's priorities are." The Homeland Security Department wants to provide $3.2 billion to help states and cities protect against terrorist attacks in 2009, but the White House said it will ask Congress for less than half -- $1.4 billion, according to a Nov. 26 document.
One document says the president does not believe previous homeland security grants have been well spent and does not believe the nation's highest-risk cities have satisfied security needs.
This is President Bush's last budget, and the new administration would have to live with the funding decisions.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22053644/
WNBC-TV
updated 6:56 a.m. ET, Mon., Dec. 3, 2007
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration intends to slash counter terrorism funding for police, firefighters and rescue departments nation-wide by more than half next year, according to budget documents obtained by The Associated Press. Watch Video New York would be hard hit by deep cuts, according to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The plan would eliminate programs for port security, transit security and local emergency management operations in the next budget year.
The move comes a year after New York saw a nearly 40-percent cut in its anti-terrorism funding by the Homeland Security Department. The move was decried by city officials including Mayor Michael Bloomberg as a political maneuver. Long Island Congressman Peter King, a Republican, called this year's proposal a "very grave mistake" that "goes totally in the wrong direction," and vowed to do what he could to stop it. Democratic Senator Charles Schumer said targeting essential Homeland Security programs, which protect Americans more than much of the money spent in Iraq shows -- in his words -- how "out of touch this administration's priorities are." The Homeland Security Department wants to provide $3.2 billion to help states and cities protect against terrorist attacks in 2009, but the White House said it will ask Congress for less than half -- $1.4 billion, according to a Nov. 26 document.
One document says the president does not believe previous homeland security grants have been well spent and does not believe the nation's highest-risk cities have satisfied security needs.
This is President Bush's last budget, and the new administration would have to live with the funding decisions.