Chris Dodd: “If I may respectfully challenge what he said on the offsets, because this is a critical question and obviously we have…”

“If I may respectfully challenge what he said on the offsets, because this is a critical question and obviously we have to pay for these initiatives. We took money from two different titles in this bill, Title I and Title IV. In Title I, which is where the bulk of the money would come from for the amendment, it would still leave an increase in the account of 35-percent over last year. The offset reduces it from an 88 percent increase that is in the underlying legislation. I should mention at the outset, and I don't want to confuse our colleagues, that there are two separate proposals. One is the FIRE Act grant initiative, which the committee has been very supportive of, and I appreciate that. The bill has funding for $700 million for the FIRE Act grant program, which provides assistance for training and equipment. This amendment, however, is about personnel, which is a different issue. Our argument is that you can get a grant for new equipment, but it is meaningless if you don't have the personnel to do the job. That is why the SAFER bill is a top priority for the fire organizations.”