Russ Feingold: “I was pleased to support the fiscal year 2008 Homeland Security appropriations bill. Our national security strategy…”

“I was pleased to support the fiscal year 2008 Homeland Security appropriations bill. Our national security strategy needs to adapt in order to meet new and emerging threats while ensuring those in charge of protecting us have the resources they need. I am pleased to support the current Homeland Security appropriations bill which includes many important measures to keep our communities safe. The Senate unanimously accepted my amendment to improve the Safe Skies program that I established a few years ago. The amendment will encourage the Transportation Security Administration and the airlines to better implement legislation I authored that allows first responders to volunteer to help flight crews in the event of an onboard emergency. The bill would increase funding for State fire fighter and emergency management grants. Along with a bipartisan coalition of Senators, I wrote to Senate appropriators earlier in the year asking that they increase funding for these important grants. The appropriators agreed with our recommendations and recommended $700,000,000 for fire fighter grants and $300,000,000 for emergency management performance grants. These funds will help State and local agencies obtain the equipment and training they need to protect us against terrorist incidents and natural disasters.”