Sen. Salazar Urges President to Reconsider Veto Threat on Homeland Security Bill;
Praises Compromise on Implementation of 9/11 Commission Recommendations
WASHINGTON
– As the Senate debates the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill taking
steps to better secure our borders, our ports and provide much needed
funding to our local communities and first responders, United States
Ken Salazar issued the following statement regarding the bill and the
compromise that will implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations:
On Homeland Security
Appropriations: “Recent news about prospective terrorist attacks
on our own soil have underscored the importance of investing in a strong
plan for securing our homeland. We are providing critical funds to ensure
that our borders, ports and local communities are secure to prevent
terrorist attacks, but also provide much needed funding for first responders
to do their jobs in the event of such an attack.
“I am very discouraged by
the President’s statement today threatening to veto this bill. I urge
the President to reconsider as his veto threat is obstructing our ability
to achieve our Nation’s homeland security.”
On Compromise on
Implementation of 9/11 Commission Recommendations: “In 2005
our Nation received failing grades from the 9/11 Commission regarding
first responder communications, information sharing and the security
of weapons of mass destruction. Now, nearly six years after 9/11, we
are still woefully under prepared for a major catastrophe or terrorist
attack. I have long advocated for us to implement the Commission’s recommendations
and I am glad we have finally begun the process to implement them.
The Homeland Security Appropriations
bill funds border security ($10.2 billion), FEMA ($6.9 billion), aviation
security (nearly $530 million), port security ($400 million) and mass
transit security ($400 million), while also rejecting cuts in first-responder
grants.
###
|
