Global Security Newswire

A federal program intended to protect high-risk U.S. cities from a potential terrorist attack saw its funding reduced by almost one-fifth in the budget comprise deal struck last week on Capitol Hill, Newsday reported (see GSN, Feb. 25, 2008).

Democratic and Republican lawmakers narrowly avoided a government shutdown late last week by agreeing to $38.5 billion in spending reductions for this fiscal year, which is more than half over. A final continuing resolution through September 30 is expected to be approved this week.

The fiscal 2011 budget leaves the Urban Area Security Initiative with $725 million, down from the $887 million the program received in fiscal 2010, according to U.S. Representative Peter King (R-N.Y.). "It's certainly not ideal," said King, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee.

King noted the budget deal did include monies for the Securing the Cities program, which primarily aims to protect New York City from a nuclear or radiological attack. Approximately $18.5 million of the total $20 million in fiscal 2011 program funding would go to the city, he said (see GSN, April 5).

The fiscal 2011 budget also includes $500 million for security grants to be divided equally between public transit systems and seaports. That figure is $50 million less for each sector than the last budget cycle, according to King.

New York City and 64 other large U.S. cities receive Urban Area Security Initiative funds that are to be spent on law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts. King said he would call on the U.S. Homeland Security Department to reduce the number of cities that qualify for program appropriations (Tom Brune, Newsday, April 13).

Among the cities that qualify for program grants are Baton Rouge, La.; Nashville, Tenn.; Omaha, Neb.; and Toledo, Ohio, the New York Daily News reported on Wednesday.

"I guess Nashville has the Grand Ole Opry, but in terms of landmarks at risk and assets being targeted, nothing comes close to New York City," King said.

New York's delegation to the House of Representatives was rebuffed by the Senate in its attempt to trim the number of cities eligible for program funding down to a maximum of 25.

"Homeland security funding should be distributed based on risk, and New York City does not receive its fair share of funds," New York City mayoral spokesman Jason Post said.

In 2010, New York City was allotted $151 million from DHS monies set aside for major-threat cities (Alison Gendar, New York Daily News, April 13).