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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
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UPDATE: Sen. Salazar
Lauds Key Provisions in 9/11 Conference Report Impacting CO; Announces
Critical Homeland Security Funding
WASHINGTON – This week
the United States Congress took major steps to secure our Nation’s borders
and ports, and provide much needed funding to our local communities
and first responders. Yesterday, the Senate passed the Homeland Security
Appropriations bill, and this week a House and Senate conference committee
issued its final report implementing the 9/11 commission recommendations.
Both of these pieces of legislation included critical funding for Colorado
projects that Senator Salazar fought to secure:
- 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. “The Senate’s action
to create a Rural Policing Institute 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 police
officers,” said Senator Salazar. “I look forward
to discussing the Rural Policing Institute and other training and
communications issues in meetings across Colorado with local law enforcement
officials.”
- 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 the protection
of the homeland, and keeping its citizens safe from attack,”
added Salazar.
Senator Salazar successfully added one amendment to the Homeland
Security Appropriations bill last night, prior to final passage of the
bill:
- 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 Forest 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; and $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).
The Homeland Security Appropriations
Bill will now 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 hopeful the President
will sign 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.
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