On the recordDecember 16, 2011
That is less than half of what we were provided this last year. To make matters worse, this package punts responsibility for the tough decisions about funding levels for each program to Secretary Napolitano. The approach taken here should surprise no one. Tough decisions about funding have been punted throughout this session, and as a result, the Congress has moved from shutdown crisis to shutdown crisis. If this package is enacted, the Congress will be punting responsibility for meeting the Homeland Security challenges of a post- 9/11 world to State, local, and tribal governments. The timing of the shift of responsibility could not be worse. We must not ignore the cause from public safety and first responder organizations that have warned us about devastating effects of cuts. For this reason and probably a hundred more, I oppose the conference report.
