February 23, 2006   LIEBERMAN STATEMENT ON TOWNSEND REPORT Communications Recommendation is Inconsistent with Administration Budget Cuts   Following is a statement issued Thursday by Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., in response to the Frances Townsend report on Katrina failures. “The White House has produced what appears to be a thoughtful report that recognizes the manifold failures in the government’s response to Katrina and recommends significant changes in the way we respond to future disasters. I agree with many of its recommendations, but take issue with others. “For example, I don’t know that the recommendation for retooling the Homeland Security Department’s preparedness and response capabilities are bold enough or sufficiently recognize the massive failures by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security during and after Katrina. “The report recommends a review of and improvement to communications equipment used during a catastrophe. I couldn’t agree more. However, the Administration’s rhetoric does not match its reality. Since 2004, the Administration has cut grants to first responders – the primary funding source for state and locals to purchase interoperable communications equipment – by a whopping 50 percent. “Similarly, the Administration has cut a program that gives state and local officials on-site technical expertise to help them achieve interoperability from $20 million in Fiscal Year 2004 to $5 million in Fiscal Year 2007. The Department of Homeland Security needs to be providing more of this type of assistance, not less. Chairman Collins and I have passed such legislation out of our Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and we urge the Administration to support it. “Finally, a report that only makes future recommendations and does not assess responsibility for past failures is, by its nature, incomplete. Only a full understanding of what went wrong and who was responsible will enable us to correct our path for the future. That is what I expect the Senate report to do. I look forward to working with Fran Townsend and the Administration to make our homeland security as good as we need it to be."   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 February 2006 Press Releases   February 23 current Press Release   February 21 - Senators Collins, Lieberman, Coleman and Levin Express Concern over Sale of U.S. Port Operations to Dubai-Controlled Company   February 16 - Senate Approves Collins-Lieberman "Katrina Emergency Assistance Act"   February 16 - Secretary Chertoff Testifies About DHS Failures in Response to Hurricane Katrina   February 15 - Senator Lieberman Delivers Statement at Hearing on Homeland Security Department's Preparation and Response   February 14 - Collins, Lieberman Hold Hurricane Katrina Hearing on Waste, Fraud and Abuse in FEMA's Assistance Programs   February 10 - Lieberman Says DHS Must Be Held Accountable   February 9 - Military Role in Katrina Response Seemed Cobbled Together   February 6 - Collins-Lieberman Hearing Exposes Confusion & Turf Battles Among Agencies Responding to Hurricane Katrina   February 6 - Lieberman Assails Administration Budget for Failing First Responders   February 6 - Lieberman Statement on Law Enforcement and Communications Problems Faced in Response to Hurricane Katrina   February 6 - Collins, Lieberman Express Concern Over Security Flaw in GSA Contractor Website   February 3 - Senators Collins & Lieberman Urge President Bush to Broaden Authority of Federal Coordinator for Hurricane Katrina Recovery   February 3 - Lieberman Urges DHS to Explain Why New Haven, SW Connecticut Are Ineligible for High Risk Homeland Security Grants   February 2 - Louisiana & Mississippi Governors Testify in Hurricane Katrina Hearing   February 1 - Collins-Lieberman Invite DHS Secretary to Work Together on FEMA Overhaul   February 1 - Senator Lieberman's Statement on Managing the Crisis and Evacuating New Orleans   February 1 - New Orleans Mayor Testifies at Hearing to Examine Public Officials' Responsibilities & Response to Katrina
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510