Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
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	Press Releases March 16, 2005   LIEBERMAN VOTES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS Co-Sponsors Stabenow Amendment Adding $1.6 Billion to President's Budget   WASHINGTON – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., Tuesday voted in favor of investing additional dollars in the state and local first responders who “risk their lives to keep the rest of us safe.” Lieberman cosponsored an amendment by Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., to add $1.6 billion, government wide, to the first responder budget. The Administration’s proposal contains an overall government-wide cut of $1.7 billion to first responder programs. The amendment failed on a mostly party line vote of 46-54, with Independent James Jeffords, of Vermont, and Republican Lincoln Chafee, of Rhode Island, voting in favor of the amendment. “I am happy to have the opportunity to vote in favor of Senator Stabenow’s amendment,” Lieberman said. “First responders risk their lives to keep the rest of us safe and they should be provided with the equipment and training they need to perform their jobs safely and effectively. Our communities depend upon them.” Stabenow’s amendment would have boosted Department of Homeland Security state grant programs and reinstated two popular and effective law enforcement grants – the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants and the Community Orienting Policing Services - which the Administration has proposed eliminating. Earlier this month, Lieberman proposed a $4.2 billion increase for first responder and preventer training, hiring, and equipment, including interoperable communications equipment to enable first responders of different jurisdictions to speak to one another. Lieberman proposed an $8.4 billion boost to the President's FY 2006 proposal for homeland security spending overall.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 March 2005 Press Releases February   |  April   --   2004   |  2006     March 30 - KENNEDY, LIEBERMAN RELEASE GAO REPORT SHOWING STATES OBLIGATED MOST BIOTERRORISM GRANTS EVEN THOUGH HHS SAID MONEY WENT UNUSED   March 28 - SENATORS COLLINS & LIEBERMAN: DHS DEEPWATER REPORT INCOMPLETE   March 25 - LIEBERMAN STATEMENT ON DHS IG REPORT ON AIRLINE PASSENGER INFORMATION SECURITY   March 17 - SENATE APPROVES COLLINS-LIEBERMAN AMENDMENT TO RESTORE $855 MILLION FOR HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING; 63 TO 37 VOTE   March 17 - COLLINS, LIEBERMAN INTRODUCE AMENDMENT TO RESTORE $855 MILLION FOR HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING   March 17 - COLLINS, LIEBERMAN URGE ACCELERATION OF COAST GUARD DEEPWATER MODERNIZATION PROGRAM   March 16 current Press Release   March 9 - Lieberman Statement on Homeland Security Budget   March 2 - Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Federal Whistleblower Protection Introduced in Senate   March 2 - Collins, Lieberman Statement on Indictments for FEMA Fraud   March 1 - Lieberman Proposes Additional Resources to Bridge Homeland Security Gap
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Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510