Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise to express grave concern that the majority has included in the Homeland Security appropriations bill a cut to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. In the face of the grave and significant threats against nonprofit organizations across this country, rising threats toward religious and other nonprofit institutions, these cuts will likely have a profound impact on the safety of our community across the country and in Florida and our community in particular. We strive to foster an open and safe environment in our communities and our houses of worship, in line with the core value of welcoming the stranger. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the CTC, faith-based institutions are more susceptible to attacks by violent extremists due to their symbolism, perceived lack of security, and accessible locations. We are going in the wrong direction in this bill, and the amendment to increase the amount of funding provided for nonprofit security grants is critical. At a time of increased vulnerability to threats of hate-motivated violence by domestic extremists, the House should be significantly increasing funding for religious institutions and at-risk nonprofit organizations, not cutting them and putting more people at risk. Shame on us if we don't increase the bottom-line number for nonprofit security grants.”