Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012

Floor Speech

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Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2017--the Department of Homeland Security FY12 Appropriations Act.

As we come upon the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the House should not be voting to reduce funding in homeland security, mass transit, and port security grants. These grant programs would receive a 50-percent cut in funding if this bill were passed. Investments in these critical areas are needed as we remain vigilant. Terrorist events around the world have shown that mass transit systems, like other modes of transportation, are often targets of attack. New York City has one of the largest subway systems in the world. Millions of people ride the system every day. A plot to attack the New York City subway system was thwarted in September 2009. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City has worked hard to keep the passengers safe. Our Nation's first responders deserve more.

Finally, this bill proposes an appropriation of $891.24 million in net discretionary spending for Infrastructure Protection and Information Security, which is a decrease of $45.25 million below the President's FY 2012 budget request. Increasing funding to the Administration's request will help to prevent attacks against U.S. information networks. Our safety and our way of life depend upon our critical infrastructure as well as the strength of our economy. Our critical infrastructure--such as the electricity grid, financial sector, and transportation networks that sustain our way of life--have suffered repeated cyber intrusions, and cyber crime has increased dramatically over the last decade. It has become clear that our Nation cannot fully defend against these threats unless certain parts of Cybersecurity efforts are updated. Congress needs to focus on improving cybersecurity for the American people, our Nation's critical infrastructure, and the Federal Government's own networks and computers.

As a New York City Member on the House Homeland Security Committee, I will work to ensure that our Nation is better prepared to prevent terrorist attacks. This appropriations bill is a statement of our values. We need to adequately invest in our response capacities to safeguard our citizens. At a time when our Nation is dealing with the emergency management of natural disasters that ravaged the Midwest and South and is working to prevent potential bio-terrorism attacks, this is not the time to make drastic cuts to our Homeland Security Appropriations.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

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