Jim Langevin: “Yesterday the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the defense appropriations bill containing $35 billion in funding…”

“Yesterday the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the defense appropriations bill containing $35 billion in funding to enhance our Nation's efforts to combat terrorism. Last week, the House missed an opportunity to do the same. The ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations had proposed an amendment to the defense appropriations act to add $7.2 billion for homeland security. Unfortunately, the rule failed to protect this amendment from a point of order, and the House was prevented from voting on one of the most important issues facing Americans today. Considering the Bush administration issued a third terror alert on Monday, it is imperative that Congress act now to provide greater security for the American people. Since September 11, States and cities have been forced to dig deep into their coffers to pay for unexpected emergency programs. I have met with Rhode Island officials to learn how they have responded to this crisis and to gauge their need for additional counterterrorism and security improvements. In the 6 weeks following the terrorist attacks, my State spent $18 million on homeland security and needs $56 million more to upgrade emergency response in public health systems. State and local governments have done an exceptional job at pinpointing and prioritizing areas in need of improvement to ensure the safety of their citizens, and Congress must act now to provide them with the resources that they require.”