December 20, 2002   LIEBERMAN WARNS AGAINST SHORT-CHANGING HOMELAND SECURITY GAO Says Department Start-Up Will Cost Money Savings May Come in Long Term   WASHINGTON - In the wake of a new report on homeland security, Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., pressed the Bush Administration Friday for adequate funds to protect Americans from terrorist attack here at home. "So far, there’s been a lot of talk from the Bush administration about protecting homeland security, but very little action," said Lieberman, who led the effort to consolidate 22 government agencies and programs into a new department. "Without the proper resources, linked to a comprehensive strategy, the security of our ports, our communities, and our critical infrastructure will always be lacking. It’s time for the administration to exercise some leadership and put its money where its mouth is." Lieberman’s comments came as the General Accounting Office released a new report that said the start -up of the new Department of Homeland Security will cost money. The Bush administration has said the consolidation will save taxpayers money. "In the long run, savings may well be realized, but any reorganization will incur start-up costs, as well as require some funding that may be temporarily redundant, but necessary to maintain continuity of effort during the transition period," the GAO said. "More important than a precise cost of the transition is the recognition that there will be short-term transition costs and that these costs need to be made transparent in a transition plan for congressional consideration," the report said. The report comes amid a bitter, year-long dispute over funding a variety of homeland security measures. In August, President Bush vetoed $5 billion that would have been delivered immediately to state and local first responders. Earlier this month, the administration announced it would wait several months before releasing an additional $1.5 billion for law enforcement and anti-terrorism assistance. And the administration has failed to help speed along already-appropriated funds to local communities - including some of the funding that was provided immediately after September 11th. "Homeland security will be nothing but a pipe dream unless the president expends some of his political capital in the debate over current appropriations and to ensure the necessary commitment of resources in his upcoming budget," Lieberman said. "There are critical needs that must be met to fulfill the promise of this department."   ###   Printable Version   Related File(s)   Management Challenges Facing Federal Leadership (1.1 MBs) « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 December 2002 Press Releases   December 20 current Press Release   December 20 - Lieberman Condemns Review of Federal Regulations   December 20 - Governmental Affairs Committee Minority Report:   December 19 - GAO Report Finds Flaws in OMB’s E-Government Initiatives   December 17 - Lieberman Clarifies Intelligence-Sharing for New Department of Homeland Security   December 17 - Lieberman Says E-Gov Bill Serves Homeland Security   December 12 - 9-11 Commissioners Must Disclose   December 11 - Lieberman Welcomes Appointment of Two Connecticut Residents to Postal Commission   December 11 - Lieberman Calls for Greater Planning, Coordination, Communication Between Federal, State and Local Governments   December 10 - Lieberman Rebukes Bush on Local Homeland Security Money   December 6 - Most Federal Agencies Tackle Major Management Problems   December 6 - 9-11 Commissioners Might Have to Publicly Disclose Financial Information   December 6 - GAO Says Insufficient Use of Personnel Flexibilities Can Significantly Hinder Federal Agencies   December 6 - Lieberman Seeks Information About Suspicious Letter Were Proper USPS Procedures Followed?
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510