Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications Panel to Hold Hearing on Homeland Security Grant Programs – TOMORROW

Washington, D.C. – The Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, chaired by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), will hold a hearing entitled “Ensuring the Transparency, Efficiency, and Effectiveness of Homeland Security Grants” tomorrow at 10 a.m. in Room 311 Cannon House Office Building. 

At tomorrow’s hearing, the Subcommittee will examine FEMA’s administration of current homeland security grant programs, as well as the President’s proposal to create a new, consolidated $1.54 billion grant program to replace a number of homeland security grant programs including the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP), the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP), the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS), the Citizen Corps Program, and the Buffer Zone Protection Program. 

Bilirakis said: "In these difficult budgetary times, we must ensure that vital homeland security grant funding is allocated based on risk and every dollar is leveraged to enhance our prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities.  This hearing will examine FEMA's management and administration of homeland security grant programs to ensure these goals are met. Following up on the Subcommittee's recent hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2013 budget for FEMA, this hearing will also give Members an opportunity to receive greater detail on the Administration's proposal to consolidate a number of grant programs into the National Preparedness Grant Program.  We must ensure that any proposals for grant reform include robust engagement with State and local stakeholders, including high-threat urban areas, port authorities, and transit agencies. This hearing is the first in a series of hearings on grants that will help inform any efforts for reform going forward."

What:                Subcommittee Hearing on “Ensuring the Transparency, Efficiency, and Effectiveness of Homeland Security Grants”

When:                10 a.m., Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Where:               311 Cannon House Office Building

                          **Live video feed will be available HERE

Opening statements, witness testimony, and the live video feed will be available online HERE. 

Witness List:

Ms. Elizabeth Harman
Assistant Administrator
Grant Programs Directorate
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Department of Homeland Security

Mr. Corey Gruber
Assistant Administrator
National Preparedness Directorate
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Department of Homeland Security

Ms. Anne Richards
Office of Inspector General
Department of Homeland Security

Mr. William O. Jenkins, Jr.
Director
Homeland Security and Justice Issues
U.S. Government Accountability Office

Hon. Michael A. Nutter
Mayor of Philadelphia