Washington , D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) praised the fiscal year 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for its attention to first responder grant programs. The bill provides $4.2 billion in grant funding for local police, fire and emergency agencies, transit security, and seaports, ignoring the President’s proposal to slash these grants by $2 billion or 49 percent. In 2007, Connecticut received nearly $10.5 million in first responder grants.

“Whether it is funding for the South Fire District in Middletown to purchase a new vehicle exhaust removal system or for the fire departments of Beacon Falls and Prospect to purchase new gear and equipment, first responder grants continue to make a tangible difference for our communities. This is a prime example of the investments we should be making, it is illogical that the President even suggested cutting funding for these grants,” said DeLauro. “These grants ensure that each community has the resources they need to purchase the appropriate tools to protect their distinctive communities and safely do their job.

Overall, the bill provides $39.9 billion for the Department of Homeland Security – $2.3 billion above the President’s requested funding level, who wanted to flat-fund the agency. Specifically, it allocates the following for first responder grants:

· $950 million for State Homeland Security grants, the same as last year, and $750 million above the President’s proposed funding level;

· $400 million for Transit Security Grants, the same as last year, and $225 million more than the President’s budget request;

· $800 million for Fire Grants, $50 million more than last year, and $500 million more than what the President proposed; and

· $315 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants, $15 million more than last year, and a $115 million increase above the President’s budget.

The bill also restores programs for which the President proposed no dedicated funding. It provides:

· $50 million for the Metropolitan Medical Response System;

· $50 million for Interoperable Communications Grants; and

· $35 million for Emergency Operations Centers.

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