[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 7, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S36]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, last week, 14 people were killed in a 
terrorist attack in New Orleans, and an explosion in Las Vegas injured 
several others. The FBI has warned that other attacks that copycat what 
happened in New Orleans could be a threat. Cities like New York and 
population centers like Long Island need to be prepared. There is one 
Federal program that stands as the cornerstone for anti-terror 
preparedness for places like New York City and Long Island--the Urban 
Area Security Initiative, known as UASI.
  Today, I am announcing that I will request $615 million for UASI in 
the upcoming funding negotiations this spring. UASI is one of our best 
firewalls for staying vigilant against terrorist threats. My request of 
$615 million will help communities like New York City, Long Island, and 
the entire metropolitan area stand ready against acts of terror.
  Last year, I was proud to deliver $2.3 million in UASI funding for 
both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. That is over $4.5 million in anti-
terror funds just for Long Island this last year. I know these funds 
are critical for these communities and for people's safety on the 
island. I am also proud last year that we delivered another $150 
million to New York City in this funding. We must keep this robust 
funding going this year too.
  UASI funds help pay for everything needed to keep people safe--from 
training and joint anti-terror operations across the city and Long 
Island to emergency medical equipment to better tools for Homeland 
Security officers for intelligence sharing and for so much more.
  We need UASI funds to keep people safe here in the Nation's Capital 
too. Over the next few weeks, millions will come for the inauguration 
and for paying homage to former President Carter, and many people will 
be moving in and out of the city as the government enters a period of 
transition. Strong UASI funding is vital to ensuring security during 
all of these events.
  I want to be clear: Any effort to cut this anti-terror program, 
especially right now, cannot stand. We in New York and on Long Island 
use these funds on a rolling basis. We need these funds. And to repeat: 
UASI funds are a firewall at a time potential copycat attacks, like the 
FBI has warned, are happening.

                          ____________________