Chuck Schumer: “We, in New York City, are stretched. I know what is going to happen. They are going to say: New York City, $265 million…”

“We, in New York City, are stretched. I know what is going to happen. They are going to say: New York City, $265 million out of $3.4 billion? That is unfair. Everyone else needs the money. Well, we are the No. 1 target. We don't have enough money for the first responders. And this is true throughout every part of our community--our hospitals, our firefighters. Everyone is stretched. Our States and local governments have no money to do all this. So, of course, we need more. The amendment of the Senator from West Virginia doesn't do enough, but at least it is a step on the road. I could go on and on. I have talked about the northern border, which involves Customs, INS, and Border Patrol. I have talked about the port of New York and all the ports of the country which involve both TSA and some of the scientific research. I have talked about first responders. I could go on and on, but I know there is not enough time. We desperately need this money. Let us hope and pray that our stinginess in this vital area, where there is no ideological dispute, doesn't hurt our people this year or next year or the year after. The Senator from West Virginia is making a lonely and difficult fight. He has done it for 6 months. But once again, we will look back on history and say he was right. We cannot fight a war on terror at home if we don't appropriate the dollars.”