Homeland Dems Request Hearings to Address Grant Cuts
(WASHINGTON) – Today, the Democratic members of the Committee on Homeland Security, led by Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), sent a letter to Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter T. King (R-NY) to request a series of oversight field hearings to examine the cuts to homeland security grant programs for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 and the preparedness and response gaps that are likely to result. This fiscal year, nearly every homeland security preparedness grant program has been subjected to significant cuts. Forthcoming appropriations legislation, working its way through the appropriations process, is expected to result in far deeper cuts for 2012.
Congressman Thompson released the following statement with the release of the letter:
"With the release of the FY2011 grant guidance last week, we can see the real world consequences of the Republican's shortsighted cuts to homeland security spending. While we understand we need to tighten our budget, we cannot afford to shortchange the Nation's preparedness and security by making arbitrary and severe cuts. Time is of the essence; we are calling on Chairman King to hold a comprehensive series of hearings to hear from first responders about the significant security challenges these cuts create in our communities."
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