Tom Carper: “I want to add a comment or two to our colleague from New York. I believe in the fiscal year 2005 appropriations bill…”

“I want to add a comment or two to our colleague from New York. I believe in the fiscal year 2005 appropriations bill, which is currently in effect, there was about $150 million that could be used for improving transit and rail security. I believe, as of last week, none of that money had been allocated. I hope that is not true, but that is what I have been briefed by my staff. None of that $150 million has been allocated. One has to wonder what it takes. I fear that it may take some tragedy to really get our attention, the attention of the executive branch to begin allocating the money and putting it where it can do the most good most promptly. As I understand it, the administration has asked for no appropriation in their budget proposal for fiscal 2006 for rail security and transit security. The committee has put in $100 million for that purpose, and I believe the committee has agreed to raise it to the current level of appropriation of $150 million. But if the administration is not going to spend the money, what good does it do for us to allocate. It is very disappointing. I hope it is not true, but I am afraid it probably is. I thank my colleague for bringing this to our attention and join her in saying we can do a lot better and we have to. Some time tomorrow, we are going to have the opportunity to vote on several options for allocating aid to first responders in our 50 States, firefighters, police, paramedics, and others who are first on the scene.…”