Thad Cochran: “I urge Senators to reject the amendment. The administration has requested substantial increases in funding for homeland…”

“I urge Senators to reject the amendment. The administration has requested substantial increases in funding for homeland security. Although it is a new Department, the Department of Homeland Security was funded at a very generous level, about $30 billion of funding, during the current fiscal year. States and localities are submitting plans to the Office for Domestic Preparedness on their priorities in terms of equipping and training first responders and equipping the States to modernize their emergency management agencies. A tremendous amount of money is being spent this year, and a request is made for even more money next year. The Budget Committee has analyzed the needs and the ways these funds can be utilized and has come up with a very thoughtful and, in my judgment, responsible recommendation to the Senate on this subject. I support the Budget Committee's conclusions and their recommendations. It is always easy to say we can use more money, we can add more money for every good-sounding program in Government, and this is certainly one that is very important. None is more important than our national security and homeland security. But we do have the funds that we need, that we can spend in an efficient way and in a responsive way to the threats that exist to try to help us do a better job of protecting the homeland. The President has given strong leadership on this issue.”