[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 70 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H3366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CUTS TO NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON NEED
RETHINKING
(Mr. ENGEL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, everyone knows that on September 11, 2001,
nearly 3,000 New Yorkers were killed in the attack on the World Trade
Center and, of course, several hundred as well here in Washington at
the Pentagon. Yet the Department of Homeland Security has chosen to cut
both New York and Washington by 40 percent of Homeland security funds
for this year. It is absolutely mind-boggling and unbelievable and
outrageous that New York and Washington would face these cuts. New
York's money is scheduled to go down from $207.6 million in 2005 to
$124.5 million in 2006.
Now, to add insult to injury, we hear that the Department of Homeland
Security is cutting New York's bioterrorism money 15 percent as well,
so that in New York, per capita New York would receive $2.99 per
resident to fight bioterrorism, while the good people of Wyoming would
receive $9.72 cents per person to fight bioterrorism, and the good
people of North Dakota would receive $8.09 per person to fight
terrorism.
We all know the threat in North Dakota and Wyoming is not nearly as
great as New York. What is Secretary Chertoff thinking? What are they
thinking over there? Their policies and their thoughts need to change.
____________________