Chris Dodd: “I rise to discuss S.A. 3111 to the fiscal year 2007 budget resolution which I sponsored with my colleague, Senator…”

“I rise to discuss S.A. 3111 to the fiscal year 2007 budget resolution which I sponsored with my colleague, Senator DeWine. This amendment, which helps our Nation's firefighters perform their critical duties more safely, was adopted by unanimous consent. I thank the Chairman of the Budget Committee, Senator Gregg, and the committee's ranking member, Senator Conrad, both for their work on the budget resolution and for their consideration of this important issue. I would imagine that this amendment, which creates a special reserve fund to pay for the assistance to firefighters grants, is not the way that everyone would choose first to provide critical resources to the FIRE Act and SAFER Act grants. However, this amendment does demonstrate the commitment of the Senate to increase conditionally funding for our firefighters in a manner consistent with the need to be fiscally responsible. Clearly, the need for these grants is irrefutable. Across our country, fire departments are in desperate need of obtaining updated equipment and more expensive firefighter training--two activities that are crucial to ensuring that firefighters can carry out their expanded responsibilities safely and effectively in this post-9/11 world. In fiscal year 2002, there were over 19,000 FIRE grant applications seeking almost $2 billion in support for eligible activities. In fiscal year 2005, there were over 27,000 FIRE grant applications seeking over $4 billion for such activities.…”