|
|
U.S.
Senator Ken Salazar
Member of the Agriculture, Energy and Veterans Affairs
Committees
2300 15th
Street, Suite 450 Denver, CO
80202 | 702 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C.
20510
|
Sen. Salazar Highlights
Key Provisions in 9/11 Conference Report Impacting CO; Announces Critical
Homeland Security Funding
WASHINGTON
– This week the United States Congress is taking major steps to secure
our Nation’s our borders, our ports and provide much needed funding
to our local communities and first responders. Today the Senate continues
consideration of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill and yesterday,
a House and Senate conference committee issued its final report yesterday
implementing the 9/11 commission recommendations. Both of these pieces
of legislation included critical funding for projects in Colorado:
- The Rural Policing
Institute (RPI): A bipartisan amendment authored by Senator
Salazar creating a special, rural-focused law enforcement training
institute to assist rural agencies in receiving cutting-edge training
without sacrificing public safety was included in the adoption of
the 9/11 Commission recommendations. “Today’s action is another important
victory for rural law enforcement, and puts these professionals one
step closer to receiving the same cutting-edge training offered to
non-rural peace officers,” said Senator Salazar.
- A Long-Term Plan
For Fighting Terrorism: Senator Salazar added a requirement
to the Senate version of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill
requiring the DHS to develop a strategic plan every four years similar
to the Department of Defense’s Quadrennial Defense Review, including
a review of national homeland defense strategy, inter-agency cooperation,
preparedness of Federal response capabilities and developing a homeland
defense strategy for the next 20 years. “Securing the homeland starts
with planning ahead using clear goals and benchmarks for success.
A quadrennial review will be an important tool for DHS, Congress and
the American people to plan for a secure future for America,” said
Senator Salazar.
- Transportation
Technology Center in Pueblo: This key provision makes the
Transportation and Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) in Pueblo, the newest
member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium. It authorizes
$22 million for the upcoming year, $23 million in Fiscal Year 2009,
$24 million in 2010, and $25.5 million in 2011. This provision enables
TTCI, the premier rail safety facility in the Nation, to train first
responders from around the world in ways to promote rail security
and avoid potential disasters such as the London and Madrid bombings.
“Both of these bills
are essential to the security of our nation,” said Senator Salazar.
“A government’s primary responsibility is in the protection of the homeland,
and keeping its citizens safe from attack,” added Salazar.
Senator Salazar also offered the following amendments to the
Homeland Security Appropriations bill:
- Emergency Response
Plans for Rural Areas: As most of FEMA’s emergency response
plans are tailored for disasters in highly populated urban areas,
Senator Salazar offered and amendment directing FEMA to outline emergency
response plans for rural areas, in the event of blizzards wildfires
and other rural emergencies.
- Assistance for
Wildland Fire Prevention, Planning and Preparations: Senator
Salazar’s amendment clarifies the fact that wildland fire prevention,
planning and preparations are eligible for FEMA grants. It is based
on a provision from the Colorado Delegations Forrest Health Bill (S.
1797).
Overall, the Homeland Security
Appropriations bill provides over $10.2 billion for border security
that will allow for the hiring of over 3,000 Border Patrol agents; $1
billion for border fencing, infrastructure and monitoring technology;
and $475 million for interior enforcement. The bill also provides critical
funding for our nation’s first responders; $3 billion for state and
local emergency preparedness programs; $700 million in firefighter assistance
grants; $300 million for emergency performance grants. It also funds
FEMA ($6.9 billion), aviation security (nearly $530 million), port security
($400 million) and mass transit security ($400 million).
Once the Homeland Security
Appropriations Bill has been passed by the Senate, it will proceed to
a conference committee to iron out differences between House and Senate
versions before being voted upon a second time by both the House and
Senate. If the House and Senate both approve the conference report,
it will go on to the President’s desk for signature or veto. The President
yesterday issued a statement of Administration Policy announcing he
will NOT support the bill because it provides $2.2 billion in critical
funding over his request.
“We are providing
critical funds to ensure that our borders, ports and local communities
are secure to prevent terrorist attacks, but also provide much needed
funding for first responders to do their jobs in the event of such an
attack,” said Salazar. “I am, quite frankly, perplexed
by the President’s threat to veto this bill, given the broad, bipartisan
support that it has.”
The 9/11 Commission Conference
Report will now go to both the House and Senate for final passage and
then to the president’s desk for signature.
###
|