Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise for clarification. With great respect for my colleagues, and understanding the importance of Homeland Security dollars, I am very concerned that there seems to be a misunderstanding. I would like to read again the quote from the 9/11 Commission. ``Federal Homeland Security assistance should not remain a program for general revenue sharing. It should supplement State and local resources based on the risks of vulnerability that merit additional support. Congress should not use this money as a pork barrel.'' I would also like to remind my good friends that under the Homeland Security grant program, there are many other sources of funding for these communities. California, for example, is getting $153,953,988. Connecticut is getting over $12 million. Nevada is getting over $10 million, et cetera, et cetera. So there seems to be some misunderstanding that the UASI program should cover all the Homeland Security funding for these States. We believe strongly that there are reasons for funding, certainly by formula--and that's the way this bill is written--almost every city, over 50 cities in the United States. But the UASI funding is specifically targeted to those areas such as New York that are pointed to by the terrorists. I don't want to mention bin Laden, but others, they clearly are the most at risk. And if you're number one, there clearly should be a rationale for getting the funding.…”