United Nations Tax Equalization Refund Act of 2011: House of Representatives

Floor Speech

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Madam Speaker, this is a fundamental principle that we developed in the Homeland Security Committee, where we work with our stakeholders to protect this country. The notion of taking the resources away from the New York City Police Department, a major stakeholder in keeping this country safe, does not make sense.

Representative King, the new chairman of the committee, outlined in a very passionate statement how this would devastate New York City. That partnership we've created has rendered results. All of the statistics that we have gleaned on this committee indicate that New York City is the number one terrorist target in the United States. This $100 million investment with the New York Police Department is an investment in security.

What we have here is smoke and mirrors that ultimately will render the citizens of New York City vulnerable to any potential attack. So I call upon my colleagues to oppose this unfortunate cut in the name of getting paid back, and look at it in what ultimate damage it will cause.

The New York City Police Department is known worldwide for its security investments and enhancements, but that's because of the partnership it's had with the Federal Government. We shouldn't punish the good people of New York for some ostensive reason with the United Nations.

And let's talk a little bit about the United Nations. We're fortunate to have them on our shores here in the United States. That's worth a lot. We bring a lot of people to this country. Thousands of tourists visit that building every day. And so why all of a sudden do we want to limit the security of those individuals, among others who visit that building, just because we're trying to "get some money back.''

Well, we are bigger than that. We have to lead by example. The best example we can do here today is to defeat this unwarranted, mean-spirited deal that does not provide any security for the good people of New York or the people who work in and around the United Nations building.

That building was put here in 1951. It has been here a long time. We have been that beacon of hope for world order. And now, all of a sudden, we jeopardize it in a document that clearly we understand will not really cost any more money. So I ask for a vote in opposition to H.R. 519.

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