Republican Homeland In-Security Watch

The Bush Administration has once again demonstrated that it doesn’t have its priorities straight when it comes to keeping America safe. This year, the Republican-led Congress slashed funding for urban grants, which are used to help first responders in the event of a terrorist attack or a disaster, by $600 million. As a result, the two cities attacked on 9/11, New York and Washington, DC, will both face 40 percent reductions in urban security funds this year. Areas that have faced recent disasters are also facing cuts to their response programs. Even with the start of the hurricane season, "New Orleans's grants for security and disaster preparedness were cut in half even as it struggles to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina." [Washington Post, 6/1/06; New York Daily News, 6/1/06]

"Apparently the President and his Republican Congress don't understand that homeland security begins with hometown security," said Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. "While Democrats have consistently fought to secure funds to ensure that we keep America safe and prepared here at home, Republicans have once again slashed critical funds for our nation's first responders and disaster preparedness programs. These cuts just don't make sense.

"Once again it also seems that President Bush has turned his back on the people of the Gulf Coast, how else can you explain cuts in disaster preparedness at the start of the hurricane season? This is not the kind of leadership that the American people deserve. Democrats remain committed to keeping our country safe and secure and to rebuilding the Gulf Coast."