Reichert Homeland Security Bill Becomes Law
Mercer Island, WA,
Oct 14, 2008 -
Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today praised the signing of his bill, H.R. 6098, the PRICE of Homeland Security Act, into law.
“This bill – now law – is a shining example of how bipartisan teamwork can accomplish great things, especially when we work together with other concerned state and local leaders," said Reichert, former Sheriff of King County and member of the House Homeland Security Committee. "Last year, we worked for this funding when we passed the bill implementing the 9/11 recommendations (H.R.1), but the Department of Homeland Security took their own liberties and denied important funding to our first responders, ignoring the intentions of H.R. 1. When we discovered that our first responders in Washington State were going to lose funding because of DHS's blatant disregard for our original legislation, we immediately went to work to write a bill that would leave no question – for DHS or our first responders.
“I came to Congress for this very reason – to cut through the red tape of the federal government, work for the needs of my constituents, and bring people together to solve problems,” Reichert continued. “We fought tooth and nail to get this bill through Congress to continue support for first responders, as local budgets struggle to keep local communities safe and also remain vigilant in a post-9/11 world. I'd like to thank Washington Adjutant General Timothy Lowenberg and Chief John Batiste of the Washington State Patrol for supporting this bill and urging other legislators to get behind it, showing them the true need for this funding. I'm pleased to see this bill become law."
“Homeland Security is one of the top priorities for sheriffs across the Nation. State and local fusion centers, in partnership with the Federal Government, play an integral part in providing sheriffs critical security information in order to protect their communities,” stated Sheriff David Huffman, Chairman of the National Sheriffs’ Association Homeland Security Committee and Sheriff of Catawba County, North Carolina. “The enactment of H.R. 6098 will allow state and local fusion centers to continue to retain experienced security analysts without fear of losing or being denied valuable funding. Most importantly, H.R. 6098 will allow fusion centers to retain their trained, professional personnel for a longer period of time. Additionally, it will increase the flow of vital communication between the federal, state, and local partners, particularly sheriffs, and allow sheriffs to continue the fight against terrorism and protect our homeland. I commend Congressman Reichert for sponsoring this important legislation and I commend the President for signing it into law.”
Fusion centers are designed to help federal, state, and local law enforcement and homeland security officials to share accurate, actionable, and timely information with police and sheriff’s officers working to secure their communities from terrorism. Reichert’s bill received unanimous, bipartisan support through the House and Senate.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) grant guidance on local law enforcement funding ignored the intent of legislation Reichert got passed last year within H.R. 1, the bill which implemented recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The legislation intended for the federal government to continue funding intelligence analysts at fusion centers without a timeline for a cutoff of funding. With the new guidance, funding would be lost after two or three years, depending on requirements met, and would result in a reduction of intelligence analysts in Washington State. Reichert reintroduced the bill to clarify the responsibility of DHS to fund current local law enforcement personnel serving in intelligence “fusion centers,” including the Washington State Joint Analytical Center, which works to protect the state of Washington, but was in danger of losing funding without Reichert’s bill and his work to change the rule. Reichert’s legislation received support from the Major Cities Chiefs Association, headed by Chief Gil Kerlikowske of the Seattle Police Department, the National Governor’s Association and the National Sheriff’s Association.
Reichert’s work to keep communities safe in the 110th Congress includes:
· Improving Intelligence Support to State and Local Officials: Successfully passed an amendment for a $10 million increase to fund the Department of Homeland Security Intelligence program that provides key information sharing with state and local officials;
· Funding for School Resource Officers: Worked behind the scenes to include important funding for School Resource officers in past Department of Justice funding legislation;
· Funding for Public Safety: Successfully passed an amendment that cleared a backlog of death benefits for the families of fallen officers and doubled the funding of the program; and,
· Fighting Domestic Violence: Successfully passed an amendment to fully fund a program that helps courts keep victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse safe.
More:
09/23/2008: Congressional Quarterly: Reichert House-Passed Legislation Clears Senate Panel
07/29/2008: Reichert Homeland Security Legislation Passes House
06/11/2008: Reichert Law Enforcement “Fusion Center” Legislation Sails Through His Subcommittee
06/02/2008: VIDEO, KIRO TV: Budget Cuts Threaten Anti-Terrorism Center
06/02/2008: Tacoma News Tribune: Federal cuts could hinder anti-terrorism efforts here
05/25/2008: Albany Times-Union: Anti-terror funding cut; Lawmakers question U.S. decision to cap pay for information centers
05/19/2008: Reichert Counters DHS Move on Local Intelligence Funding
03/20/2008: Reichert Letter to Dept. of Homeland Security and Office of Management and Budget
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