Political Quotes

“this amendment responds to the critical requirement of enhancing antiterrorist activities at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In our budget hearings with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Senator Mikulski and I raised the question of whether this country is ready to respond and take all appropriate actions to deal with the threat of terrorist activities in our country. The administration has submitted a budget amendment on June 8 to increase spending in several agencies for antiterrorism activities, including $11 million more than the original budget request for FEMA's emergency planning and assistance. With this amendment we will meet the request. The bill as reported by the committee adds $3 million above the initial request for such activities, and this amendment now pending before the Senate would add another $8 million, for a total of $11 million in this key area. These funds are to be used for such critical activities as planning at the Federal, State, and local level for the unique aspect of terrorist-related incidents. I note this is part of a larger proposal for $249 million to strengthen our ability to defend against and respond to terrorist incidents involving the use of biological or chemical weapons. I wholeheartedly support this effort. I think it is vitally important and I think this is a vital first step. In a recent self-assessment by the States, they rated themselves as being unprepared in this critical area.”