James M. Talent: “within the larger discussion of how homeland security funds are allocated, there is a very clear need for some limited…”

“within the larger discussion of how homeland security funds are allocated, there is a very clear need for some limited discretionary authority for State officials to reallocate homeland security funds to needs not foreseen months earlier and which may arise due to increased threat assessments. During my discussions across the State of Missouri about homeland security, nearly every police chief and every first responder tells me the same thing: Look, don't tie our hands on how we are going to use money you give us. Leave us some discretion on how to use those funds. My colleague and friend, Senator Kit Bond, has heard the same message all over Missouri. On the other hand, the Department of Homeland Security asserts it must tightly control how every dollar is spent. I appreciate the need for accountability given the Department's mission. I also appreciate that in many instances our first responders know best how to allocate these funds and that sometimes very legitimate concerns fall outside the narrow spending guidelines of the Department.”