NELSON: DHS APPARENTLY IGNORED LAW ON HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDS

February 8, 2008 - Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson is seeking answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the apparent disregard of a law passed by Congress last year regarding the distribution of Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants.

While affected communities were supposed to be given an opportunity to provide input into the decision-making process, it seems that that did not happen with regards to Omaha, which has subsequently been denied the chance to compete for UASI funding for this year.

"Congress was clear when we acted last year - communities had to have the chance to make sure they were accurately evaluated for UASI grants. Omaha, and possibly other cities, were not given those opportunities," said Nelson. "We need to know why the law wasn't followed and make sure Omaha’s voice is heard."

The UASI grant program was created several years ago to direct homeland security funding to high population metropolitan areas. Since then, the program has been unevenly administered with grants going to dozens of communities in some years and only a handful in others.

Last year, as part of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Congress set forth statutory protocol that DHS must follow when considering which municipalities are eligible for UASI grants. Under that protocol, each of the 100 largest municipalities in the U.S. must be offered the opportunity to provide relevant information on their risks, threats, and vulnerabilities to DHS and be allowed to review the assessments and check for inaccuracies or incomplete information. The requirements of the 9/11 law was reiterated in the Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill at the request of Senator Nelson.

Last week, DHS released a list of 60 cities that will be allowed to compete for UASI grants. Omaha was not included and Senator Nelson subsequently learned that they were not contacted by DHS as required by law.

Senator Nelson has contacted Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff seeking answers as to why the protocol was not followed. He further asked that Omaha be given the chance to review its risk assessment and provide any additional relevant information.

"The law is the law and it seems that it was not followed in this case," said Nelson. "The fact that DHS circumvented the congressionally-mandated process and did not allow for community input should worry anyone who wants to make sure our homeland security funds are spent wisely. I expect Secretary Chertoff to act immediately and provide answers."

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	Press Release	February 8, 2008
NELSON: DHS APPARENTLY IGNORED LAW ON HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDS February 8, 2008 - Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson is seeking answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the apparent disregard of a law passed by Congress last year regarding the distribution of Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants. While affected communities were supposed to be given an opportunity to provide input into the decision-making process, it seems that that did not happen with regards to Omaha, which has subsequently been denied the chance to compete for UASI funding for this year. "Congress was clear when we acted last year - communities had to have the chance to make sure they were accurately evaluated for UASI grants. Omaha, and possibly other cities, were not given those opportunities," said Nelson. "We need to know why the law wasn't followed and make sure Omaha’s voice is heard." The UASI grant program was created several years ago to direct homeland security funding to high population metropolitan areas. Since then, the program has been unevenly administered with grants going to dozens of communities in some years and only a handful in others. Last year, as part of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Congress set forth statutory protocol that DHS must follow when considering which municipalities are eligible for UASI grants. Under that protocol, each of the 100 largest municipalities in the U.S. must be offered the opportunity to provide relevant information on their risks, threats, and vulnerabilities to DHS and be allowed to review the assessments and check for inaccuracies or incomplete information. The requirements of the 9/11 law was reiterated in the Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill at the request of Senator Nelson. Last week, DHS released a list of 60 cities that will be allowed to compete for UASI grants. Omaha was not included and Senator Nelson subsequently learned that they were not contacted by DHS as required by law. Senator Nelson has contacted Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff seeking answers as to why the protocol was not followed. He further asked that Omaha be given the chance to review its risk assessment and provide any additional relevant information. "The law is the law and it seems that it was not followed in this case," said Nelson. "The fact that DHS circumvented the congressionally-mandated process and did not allow for community input should worry anyone who wants to make sure our homeland security funds are spent wisely. I expect Secretary Chertoff to act immediately and provide answers." ###