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Letter to Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security regarding funding for programs under the Department of Homeland Security for FY2007

Web Editor's Note: A similar letter was sent to members of the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations

April 4, 2006

Members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security
U. S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the 1.4 million members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), I am writing to express our views regarding funding for programs under the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2007.

While the Administration has requested a small overall increase in funding for the Department, the President's budget fails to adequately address ongoing weaknesses in disaster preparedness at the state and local level. The Administration proposes to reduce funding for state and local grants under the Preparedness Directorate by $44.7 million, including the elimination of Local Law Enforcement Grants. Funding for training, exercises and technical assistance is reduced by $165.7 million. In addition, Fire Fighter Grants are reduced by $361 million. When these cuts are viewed in combination with reductions in public safety programs under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice, the President's budget as a whole represents a retreat in the federal effort to ensure that there are enough equipped and trained first responders should a disaster strike.

The Gulf Coast hurricanes were a stark demonstration of the fact that state and local governments do not yet have the capacity to respond to large scale disasters. That experience verified the conclusion reached by the Council on Foreign Relations in 2003 that funding for first responders falls dramatically short of critical needs.

We also urge the Subcommittee to provide at least $100 million to states to implement the REAL ID Act. We do not think that the Congress should shift the substantial financial responsibility for establishing a national identification program onto the states.

We urge the Subcommittee to reject the inadequacies in the President's Homeland Security Department. Instead, we urge you to ensure that the federal government meets the national need for preparedness by assisting the states with adequate resources for their challenges on the front line.

Sincerely,

Charles M. Loveless
Director of Legislation

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