On the recordJune 5, 2013
In total, this bill provides $2.5 billion for Homeland Security first responder grants. This is $400 million above the President's request for fiscal year 2014 and $35 million above fiscal year 2013. This bill prioritizes funding. The consolidation in this bill forces the Secretary to examine the intelligence and risk and puts scarce dollars where they are needed most--whether it's a port, rail, surveillance or access in hardened projects, or whether it is to high- risk urban areas or to States, as opposed to reverse-engineering projects to fill the amount designated for one of many programs. I strongly urge my colleagues to support fiscal discipline and vote ``no'' on this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.
