Homeland Security Committee
Advancing the Peace Bridge Project As a new member to Homeland Security Committee in the 112th Congress and member of the Congressional Northern Border Caucus, Brian aims to position the Western New York border community in the forefront of national discussions and help to advance the Peace Bridge project and improve our border operations to strengthen economic ties with our Canadian neighbors.
Jurisdiction Over FEMA Moreover, with a position on the Committee with jurisdiction over FEMA, Brian will continue to fight against unfair, outdated flood maps and for relief when communities like Silver Creek, devastated by flooding, and Buffalo, hit by the October Storm, are overwhelmed by natural disasters.
In addition to the Peace Bridge and FEMA, the Homeland Security Committee has jurisdiction over such issues as the Fire Grant Reauthorization Act. Brian was an original co-sponsor and strong supporter of the Fire Grants program and aggressively pursues federal funds for local fire companies, which has delivered over $13.164 million dollars to fire departments in his district over the last 5 years, more than double the amount awarded on average to each district. Brian was also a strong supporter of the more recent legislation supporting 9/11 first responders dealing with ongoing health issues.
Brian previously joined current Homeland Security Chair Rep. Peter King in rallying against cuts to Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funding from the Department of Homeland Security. UASI provides funding for the unique equipment, training, planning, and exercise needs of 46 select high threat urban areas, including Buffalo and New York City.
About the Northern Border Caucus Brian is a Member of the Congressional Northern Border Caucus, a bi-partisan group of Members of the House of Representatives who serve as a voice for American’s northern border communities. The mission of the caucus is to ensure a safe and smooth functioning border which considers both homeland security needs and the desire to promote cross border commerce.
Subcommittee Work Brian also sits on the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security and the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Click here for schedules, agendas and news from the Committee on Homeland Security.
Homeland Security Committee News Highlights
January 4, 2013
Congressman Higgins Announces Federal Fire Grant for Niagara Falls
January 2, 2013
Statement by Congressman Brian Higgins On Hurricane Sandy Aid
December 19, 2012
Higgins’ Bill Addressing Hezbollah’s Presence in Western Hemisphere Passes House & Senate, Moves to President’s Desk
December 18, 2012
Higgins Announces Opening of Application Window for Fire Grants
October 29, 2012
Congressman Higgins Provides Update on Federal Efforts Related to Hurricane Sandy
September 27, 2012
Higgins Announces Over $235,000 for Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department
September 19, 2012
Higgins Lauds Passage of Legislation to Tackle Hezbollah’s Presence in Western Hemisphere
July 30, 2012
Higgins Hosts Homeland Security Field Hearing at Buffalo’s Federal Courthouse
June 7, 2012
Higgins Offers Amendment to Restore Urban Area Security Initiative Funding
May 8, 2012
Congressman Higgins to Host Grant Workshop for Local Firefighters
April 24, 2012
Higgins Announces Deadline Extension for Federal Fire Grants
April 2, 2012
Higgins Announces Application Period for Federal Fire Prevention & Safety Grants
March 6, 2012
Higgins Raises Concerns About Terrorist Network
February 29, 2012
Hochul, Schumer, Gillibrand, Slaughter & Higgins Invite Air Force Secretary to Visit Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station
February 27, 2012
Higgins Named Ranking Member of Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism & Intelligence
February 15, 2012
Schumer, Gillibrand, Slaughter, Higgins & Hochul To CBP: Bring New Border Patrol Station To Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station; Construction At NFARS Is Critical To Northern Border Security, Would Help Preserve Air Station’s Role In WNY
February 3, 2012
Higgins, Slaughter & Hochul Advocate for Continued Urban Area Homeland Security Funding
January 30, 2012
Congressman Higgins Announces Application Period for Federal Fire Grants
January 27, 2012
Slaughter and Higgins Say $67 Million Contract for CUBRC is Further Proof of Good Things to Come for Medical Campus
December 14, 2011
Rep. Higgins Forms House Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Caucus
October 12, 2011
Higgins Fights For Continuation of Federal Fire Grants
September 12, 2011
On 9/12 Higgins Makes Push for Continuation of Federal Fire Grants
September 1, 2011
Higgins Announces Extra Week to Apply for Federal Fire Grants
August 29, 2011
People Inc. Receives Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
August 26, 2011
Western New York Reps. Announce Nearly Half a Million Dollars in Funding to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
August 8, 2011
Congressman Higgins Announces Application Period for Federal Fire Grants
July 20, 2011
Representatives Higgins & Hochul Call for Homeland Security Hearing on Hezbollah’s Influence in North America
July 7, 2011
NY Democrats Sponsor Boarding Pass Security Legislation
July 7, 2011
Higgins Announces $90,000 for Bellevue Volunteer Fire Company
June 28, 2011
Congressman Higgins Hosting Grant Workshops for Local Firefighters
June 6, 2011
Congressman Higgins Announces Grant Workshops for Local Firefighters
June 2, 2011
Higgins’ Amendment Saving WNY From Security Funding Ax Passes House
June 2, 2011
Higgins Speaks on House Floor Opposing Security Funding Elimination for WNY
June 1, 2011
Congressman Higgins to Introduce Amendment That Seeks to Make Buffalo-Niagara Eligible for 2012 Security Funding
June 1, 2011
Higgins, Slaughter & Tonko Fight for Security Funding for Upstate New York
May 24, 2011
Higgins, Homeland Security Dems Call for Committee & Field Hearings on Security Cuts
May 20, 2011
Leaders Oppose Move to Ax Federal Security Funding
May 19, 2011
Higgins Fights Move to Exclude Buffalo-Niagara Region from Federal Security Program
April 27, 2011
Congressman Higgins Announces Start of Construction at Coast Guard Site
March 31, 2011
Congressman Higgins Meets with U.S. Secretary of Transportation to Discuss Peace Bridge
March 11, 2011
Higgins Fights Flood Map for Old First Ward
March 8, 2011
Higgins Co-sponsors Legislation for Poland’s Inclusion in Visa Waiver Program
March 2, 2011
Higgins Leads Effort to Restore Federal Security Funding to WNY & Other Mid-Sized, High Risk Regions
February 19, 2011
Higgins Says Funding Bill Bad for WNY
February 15, 2011
Higgins Appointed to House Border and Maritime, Trade, Middle East Subcommittees
February 9, 2011
At House Hearing, Higgins Questions Homeland Security Secretary About Peace Bridge
January 26, 2011
In Wake of President’s Call for Infrastructure Investment, Export Expansion and Job Creation, Higgins Pushes for Peace Bridge Construction
January 21, 2011
Congressman Higgins & Mayor Brown Announce $322,400 Federal Fire Grant for Buffalo
January 21, 2011
Higgins Named to Homeland Security Committee
January 14, 2011
Congressman Higgins & Mayor Polanski Announce Over $156,000 for Lackawanna Fire Department
January 4, 2011
Higgins Announces Application Period for Federal Fire Prevention & Safety Grants
August 26, 2010
Congressman Higgins Announces Application Period for SAFER Federal Fire Grants
August 10, 2010
Higgins Votes to Keep Teachers in WNY Classrooms, Ease NYS Budget Burden on Local Residents
September 29, 2009
Congressman Higgins Announces Over $82,000 for Colden Fire Company
September 28, 2009
Higgins Announces Application Period for Federal Fire Prevention & Safety Grants
September 24, 2009
Congressman Higgins Announces Over $84,000 for Busti Fire Department
September 23, 2009
Congressman Higgins Announces $320,000 Recovery Act Grant for Vigilant Fire Department
September 11, 2009
Congressman Higgins Votes to Approve Bi-Partisan Legislation Honoring Service on September 11th
August 25, 2009
Congressman Higgins Announces Over $600,000 for Public Safety Efforts in WNY
August 21, 2009
Congressman Higgins Announces Over $62,000 for Bellevue Fire Company
August 20, 2009
Congressman Higgins Announces $ 65,170 for Lake View Volunteer Fire
July 31, 2009
Congressman Higgins Votes to Approve 2010 Defense Spending Bill, Bringing WNY $15.8M
July 30, 2009
Congressman Higgins Announces Over $111,000 for Brocton Fire Company
July 29, 2009
Congressman Higgins Announces Over $2.2 Million In Recovery Act Funds for NFTA Security
June 25, 2009
Congressman Higgins Votes to Approve 2010 Homeland Security Bill
June 15, 2009
Congressman Higgins Votes to Approve Bill Providing Critical Funding for National Security, Flu Response Efforts, Cash for Clunkers & Veterans
June 3, 2009
Congressman Higgins Announces Opportunity for Local Fire Companies to Apply for Recovery Act Grants
April 15, 2009
Congressman Higgins Announces Application Period for Federal Fire Grants
April 13, 2009
Higgins Announces over $5 Million in Security Grants for Western New York
March 27, 2009
Higgins, Lee Seek Final Word from Homeland Security on Status of Shared Border Management