Congressman Cleaver condemns cuts to Homeland Security Grant Program, urges Kansas City’s inclusion

Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its grant guidance for the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) which funds a range of preparedness activities, including planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises, and management and administration. Due to cuts approved in the FY11 budget, DHS has been forced to reduce the list of communities eligible for Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program funding by half, and the Kansas City metropolitan area did not make the list. 

Congressman Cleaver strongly opposed the final FY11 budget package, which cut UASI by $162 million (from $887 million to $725 million). 

“As a former member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and as a long-standing supporter of the Fifth District’s efforts to address homeland security risks and preparedness, I must say I am extremely disappointed with and concerned with the decision to remove Kansas City from the UASI program. The budget compromise, which I did not support, cut $162 million from the Department of Homeland Security, and now we are feeling the effects. The timing could not be worse. Not only are we in the midst of the 2011 FEMA National Level Exercise (NLE), which is based on a major earthquake in Missouri, along the New Madrid fault, this is National Police Week, during which many communities will honor officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

“This is a terrible time to withdraw support for our ability to train and equip police, firefighters, and other first responders and otherwise maintain the highest level of security. As I have said time and time again, the budget is a moral document, a testament to our priorities. If the safety of our communities is not a priority, I don’t know what is.” 

The Kansas City Metropolitan area stands to lose over $7 million in security funding. In a call to DHS officials, Congressman Cleaver urged his opposition to the cuts, and asked that Kansas City, Missouri, be included in UASI eligibility. 

In addition to the FY11 cuts most recently announced, the FY12 appropriations bill for homeland security eliminates important funding for state and local efforts, including Kansas City as part of the UASI program. The legislation proposes only $1 billion dollars for DHS Grants, Exercises, and Technical Assistance important to States, local governments and public safety agencies. This is a decrease of $1.2 billion compared to the current year, and the legislation also proposes major reductions in DHS’ Fire Grants ($350 million), FEMA Flood Mapping ($120 million), and PreDisaster Mitigation Grants ($40 million). Additionally, the legislation proposes a major consolidation of programs important to States, local governments and public safety agencies.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.