U.S. President George W. Bush yesterday urged Congress to approve $4.25 billion to defend the United States against terrorist attacks but Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said that homeland security funding could grow by the time Congress approves the overall supplemental spending package.

To fund U.S. military efforts in Iraq, Bush has requested $74.7 billion in additional funds for the next six months.

Congressional Democrats, meanwhile, said they want to spend more on homeland security than either Frist or Bush.

“To me, homeland security has to come first,” said Representative David Obey (D-Wis.), a lawmaker who traditionally focuses on funding social programs, according to the Washington Post.

As politicians compete to appear more concerned about homeland security, states are most likely to benefit, the Post reported.

Half of the White House supplemental request would be headed for states and local jurisdictions, with a focus on training emergency teams.  Other funds would be directed toward the Coast Guard, FBI and border control efforts (see related GSN story, today).

Additional domestic security spending, however, would cut funding for other programs, according to the Post.

It is “a very bleak picture for the environment, housing, transportation and health care,” said Representative Barney Frank (D-Mass.).  “If you put these tight limits on discretionary spending, virtually everything that’s not homeland security gets a reduction.  It will substantially reduce the ability of government to address the question of social equity and quality of life,” he added.

Democrats have said that both social programs and homeland security could be adequately funded if the White House does not cut taxes (VandeHei/Eilperin, Washington Post, March 26).

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