Nita Lowey: “Mr. Chair, while I have serious misgivings about the funding levels for FEMA first responder grants in the CR, my…”

“Mr. Chair, while I have serious misgivings about the funding levels for FEMA first responder grants in the CR, my amendment ensures that one program, the Urban Area Security Initiative, is restored to its intended purpose. By limiting UASI recipients to the 25 highest-risk cities, we will restore its original purpose--addressing the unique planning, equipment and training needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas in order to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from, acts of terrorism. Originally distributed to seven metropolitan areas, UASI has ballooned to 64 regions, many of which are neither high-threat, nor high-density. Rather than provide the highest possible funding to our most at-risk targets, FEMA made UASI a virtual earmark account. FEMA wastes resources, disregards Congressional prerogatives, and dilutes resources available to truly high-risk areas. For instance, despite a $50 million increase for UASI since Fiscal Year 2008, the New York City area receives less funding despite the grave and growing threats it faces.”