On the recordFebruary 15, 2011
This CR strikes the right balance between funding priority programs that are essential to our Nation's security and keeping our discretionary spending in check. Let me just say that $300 million is included in this CR for fire equipment, and this only applies to the SAFER grants. As has been stated, there are no funds in the bill for SAFER grants. Just 5 years ago, this program was funded at $65 million, but last year it had ballooned to $420 million and included a waiver for the cost-share requirements with local governments. In 2009, Congress provided $210 million for the SAFER grants, supporting 1,236 jobs at the high cost of $170,000 per job. In the just-released FY12 request, the Department of Homeland Security plans to create or retain 2,200 firefighters at a cost of $190,000 per job. This seems unrealistic at a time when our Nation faces serious fiscal constraints. While we all know local budgets are under fiscal pressures, the hiring of local firefighters at a cost of $190,000 per job should not be borne by the Federal Government. These cuts will not be easy, but they are long overdue and necessary to address our out-of-control Federal spending. Beyond this, the proposed offset is not prudent and ignores the fact that this CR has already cut the Science and Technology Directorate funding. This enormous reduction to a budget that barely amounts to $1 billion would absolutely be devastating.
