Friday, April 11, 2003

Scott votes for funding proposal

Congressman David Scott, D-Ga., recently voted to provide an additional $2.5 billion in funding for police officers, firefighters and local governments to protect communities in these uncertain times.

The Republican majority defeated this funding proposal by a party-line vote.

"This funding proposal recognizes that homeland security starts close to home," Rep. Scott said.

"The safety of our families and our communities depends on a strong military, but that is only the beginning. Protecting our nation and our loved ones means ensuring that the food they eat and the water they drink cannot be tampered with. It means plugging the holes that allow terror to slip through our harbors, our airports and our borders. And it means giving our police, firefighters and emergency personnel the resources they need to do their jobs."

The proposal contained:

$150 million for firefighters assistance grants,

$200 million for training police, fire and EMS personnel and purchasing protective gear.

$150 million for state and local bio-chemical response.

$132 million to protect dams, bridges and other critical infrastructure.

$250 million for port security.

$87 million to protect domestic nuclear plants and radioactive materials.

The money would have been added to the supplemental appropriations bill, which will provide additional funds for the conflict in Iraq. Congressman Scott strongly supports the wartime supplemental spending bill.

"Our troops in Iraq and those serving here at home and around the world deserve every resource we can give them to protect and defend our nation and all Americans, but we must also provide the needed resources to the other brave men and women on the frontlines - our police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel," Rep. Scott said.

"The President, Congress and state and local officials must work together to provide the much-needed funds to our troops and first responders so they can do their jobs."

According to a recently released report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, cities across the country are now being forced to pay more than $21.4 million per week in additional security costs or close to $2 billion over the next six months during the increased security alert status brought on by the war in Iraq.