Nita Lowey: “I would like to make a few additional points because, previously, I did discuss the amendment in greater detail, and I…”

“I would like to make a few additional points because, previously, I did discuss the amendment in greater detail, and I thank the chairman for his consideration. There are a couple of important things. As to the $1 billion to the block grant funding, I think it is important that we look at the breakdown: $192.6 million for law enforcement training and exercises; $55 million for Operation Stonegarden grants, which is overtime costs; and $85 million for FEMA to administer the grant programs, which is the Department of Homeland Security estimate. This brings the funding total down to $667.1 million before the block grant even begins to be distributed to the State Homeland Security Grant Program, UASI, the Metropolitan Medical Response System, Interoperability, Port Security, Transit Security, and Citizen Corps. SHSGP is written in such a way that it doesn't have to even be funded; but if it is, there are minimum funding requirements for each State and territory--.35 percent of total funds for FY12. Given that SHSGP provides funding to each State, there is no scenario under which the Secretary does not fund this program. That is mandatory. So the minimum funding level that can be provided for SHSGP and that can comply with the statutory requirement is $125.4 million. This would leave just $551.7 million remaining for UASI, MMRS, Interoperability, Port Security, Transit Security, Citizen Corps.…”