Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012

Floor Speech

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to the Fiscal Year 2012 Homeland Security appropriations bill, H.R. 2017 brought to the House floor by the Republican majority.

The problems with H.R. 2017 began even before the legislation was considered by the House. The rule to allow debate on H.R. 2017 enacts the House Republican's highly controversial budget plan to end Medicare as we know it. I voted with every Democratic Member of the House to oppose this rule--H. Res. 287--and to protect tomorrow's seniors from being forced to pay an average of $6,000 in additional health care costs every year. My Republican colleagues should be admonished for their decision to begin debate on a bill intended to safeguard American citizens with a rule that undermines the health and economic security of every American senior.

The Fiscal Year 2012 Homeland Security appropriations measure fails to meet the public safety needs of communities in Minnesota and across the country. H.R. 2017 undermines support for our local law enforcement partners by slashing funding for firefighter assistance grants and State Homeland Security Grants, which are used primarily for training and equipping first responders. The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) said of the legislation: ``At a time when state and local public safety budgets are shrinking, it is unconscionable to implement cuts of this magnitude.'' The National Association of Counties is opposing H.R. 2017, arguing that reductions in critical grant programs cripple the ability of communities of all sizes to prepare for a range of threats, including potential nuclear, chemical, and biological attacks.

Moreover, H.R. 2017 does not include sufficient funding for transit agencies to hire additional law enforcement officers, acquire bomb sniffing dogs, or install explosive screening devices. Funding to states and localities to secure sensitive tunnels and bridges and install surveillance systems in other high-risk areas is significantly reduced. This bill does not provide sufficient funds to protect harbors from terrorist threats or train maritime law enforcement personnel to safeguard U.S. ports.

Even, however, with cuts this extreme, the Republicans fund discredited projects. The notorious ``287(g)'' program founded by the Bush administration, and abused by such anti-immigrant zealots as Arizona Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio had its funding increased by millions of dollars. Sheriff Arapaio is under investigation for discrimination and illegal searches and seizures during his so-called ``immigration sweeps'' using the 287(g) program.

This bill undercuts federal partnerships with local law enforcement and reduces America's capacity to respond to natural disasters, criminal actions and potential terrorist attacks. And the rule for this bill forces enactment of a reckless Republican budget that breaks faith with America's seniors and forces unnecessary cuts to education, innovation and infrastructure to pay for another tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. I will vote no on H.R. 2017 and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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