Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012

Floor Speech

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Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the FY12 Homeland Security Appropriations Act.

The bill makes severe cuts to the funding available to front line employees of the Department of Homeland Security for critical operations along our borders, at our nation's airports and seaports, and for responding to natural disasters. The bill also reduces funding for state and local preparedness grant programs.

The bill provides a total of $1 billion for all State and local grants and $350 million for Firefighter Assistance Grants. Respectively, these figures are 65 percent and 50 percent below an already reduced request. Given the budgetary challenges already faced by our states, these cuts, if permitted to survive through the legislative process, could be devastating. According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, 1,600 fewer local firefighters will be on the job if the cuts in this bill are enacted into law. Such deep cuts will damage local preparedness, emergency response and the economic recovery.

I was happy to vote for an amendment offered by Ranking Member Price that permits states and local governments to rehire laid-off firefighters and to prevent others from being laid off. The amendment also waives certain budgetary requirements local fire departments have to fulfill to qualify for a grant. But, even with the addition of this important amendment, I cannot support a Homeland Security funding bill that ultimately makes the homeland less secure.

The House voted to include on the floor an amendment offered by Representative Mica that stripped hundreds of millions of dollars out of the Transportation Security Administration's budget and an amendment offered by Representative Rokita that limits the collective bargaining rights of TSA employees. These amendments will devastate morale among the TSA workforce and, by slashing TSA's resources, will make Americans less safe.

I will monitor the progress of this bill in the Senate and conference. I am hopeful that future changes and improvements will give me a chance to vote on a more acceptable alternative.

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