Skip to content
September 11, 2024

Congressman Goldman Introduces Legislation to Ensure Robust Outreach to Federal Homeland Security Grant Applicants

The ‘Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act’ Would Improve FEMA Communication to States and Localities Applying for Counter-Terrorism Grants

(WASHINGTON) - Congressman Dan Goldman (D-NY) and Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) introduced the ‘Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act,’ which would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide ongoing stakeholder outreach, education, technical assistance, and support to grantees of the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant programs. Both of these grant programs were developed in response to the September 11 terror attacks to ensure localities would be prepared to avoid similar devastation. The bill unanimously passed through a full mark-up of the House Committee on Homeland Security and awaits a vote on the Floor of the House.

This legislation follows a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighting insufficient communication, documentation, delayed notification, and a lack of transparency around FEMA’s decision-making process for these grants. Since National Priority Area (NPA) requirements can change year to year, previous years’ grantees have claimed that these changes have hindered their ability to meet the grant requirements.

“Although Congress allocates billions of dollars every year for local organizations fighting domestic terrorism, confusing grant requirements can keep these critical funds beyond the reach of the stakeholders who need them most,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “It’s critical that we streamline communication between the FEMA Administrator and the grantees, ensuring states and cities are properly educated on the myriad of requirements, program changes, and eligibility guidelines that determine federal funding. The first responders funded by these grants do the hard work of combating everything from election interference to domestic extremism and more. We must make sure they can access the resources they need to make our City, our State, and our country a safer place.”

Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson said, “I am proud to cosponsor Congressman Goldman’s bill to require FEMA to improve outreach to and gather input from State, local, Tribal, and territorial stakeholders for the State Homeland Security Program and the Urban Area Security Initiative. It is a product of years of the Homeland Security Committee’s oversight work and will ensure FEMA will provide continuous stakeholder engagement throughout the grant process. I applaud Congressman Goldman for his work in writing this bill and look forward to getting it passed in the House.”

Specifically, the ‘Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act’ would:

  • Require the FEMA Administrator to provide ongoing stakeholder outreach, engagement, education, technical assistance, and support before, during, and after the awarding of grants for both programs;
  • Require the FEMA Administrator to employ annual surveys and other feedback mechanisms to gather input from State, local, Tribal, and territorial stakeholders, and incorporate this feedback into future SHSP and UASI grant funding opportunities;
  • Require the GAO to submit a report within two years on the effectiveness of FEMA's outreach and support efforts related to these grant programs; and
  • Require the FEMA Administrator to submit a report to Congress on stakeholder outreach and engagement within three years of enactment.

In Fiscal Year 2024, New York State received $61 million for the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), a grant program that “provides funding to support the implementation of risk-driven, capabilities-based State Homeland Security Strategies to address capability targets.” New York City received $156 million for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), a grant program that provides funding to enhance regional preparedness and capabilities in designated high-threat, high-density areas.

The ‘Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act’ has been endorsed by the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).

As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Congressman Goldman has worked tirelessly his first term to support New York City’s efforts to counter terrorism and domestic extremism.

Last year, Congressman Goldman requested $360 million for the Nonprofit Security Grants Program, which provides funding for houses of worship, religious schools, and other nonprofit organizations to invest in security enhancements.

In March of this year, Congressman Goldman led 23 House Democrats in a letter calling on the Biden Administration to name a Domestic Terrorism Director and requested an update on the national strategy for countering domestic terrorism.

Read H.R. 9458 Here

#  #  #