Huge Cuts to Important First Responder Grants in Homeland Security Budget

Washington, DC - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) is disappointed with the new Department of Homeland Security Budget released today. The Department proposed cuts of $618 million or 15% from the 2005 budget compared to actual spending last year. This means less money for our local first responders.

"The Department of Homeland Security is out of touch with the needs of our local first responders. We live in an era of uncertain threat levels. Local resources are already stretched incredibly thin. We have identified areas where we need to increase our homeland security efforts. This is not the time to be cutting funding for our firefighters, EMT's, and police officers who work hard to try and keep our communities and families safe," said Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

The Department proposed completely eliminating grants that help first responders buy equipment that will allow different departments to communicate with either other, known as "Interoperability Communications Grants". DHS proposed cutting the firefighter grant program by $250 million and completely eliminating urban search and rescue grants.

Last fall, Congressman Ruppersberger conducted a comprehensive survey of first responders in Maryland's 2nd Congressional District and found that:

• 76% of the first responders and government agencies that participated in the survey have received NO FEDERAL FUNDING for homeland security needs.

• 67% of the agencies that responded put the need for BETTER COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY as one of their top three priorities.

"I am confident that Congress will restore this funding and I urge the President to reconsider these cuts," said Congressman Ruppersberger.