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Urban Area Security Initiative

Floor Speech

Date: Jan. 7, 2025
Location: Washington, DC

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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.

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