White House Wants To Cut Anti-Terror Funds

Bush Admin. Would Eliminate Port Security Programs, Local Emergency Management Ops

(AP)  The Bush administration intends to slash counterterrorism funding for police, firefighters and rescue departments across the country by more than half next year, according to budget documents obtained by The Associated Press.

The Homeland Security Department has given $23 billion to states and local communities to fight terrorism since the Sept. 11 attacks, but one document says the administration is not convinced that the money has been well spent and thinks the nation's highest-risk cities have largely satisfied their security needs.

The department wanted to provide $3.2 billion to help states and cities protect against terrorist attacks in 2009, but the White House said it would ask Congress for less than half - $1.4 billion, according to a Nov. 26 document. The plan calls for outright elimination of programs for port security, transit security, and local emergency management operations in the next budget year. This is President Bush's last budget, and the new administration would have to live with the funding decisions between Jan. 20 and Sept. 30, 2009.

The Homeland Security department and the White House Office of Management and Budget, which is in charge of the administration's spending plans, would not provide details about the funding cuts because nothing has been finalized. "It would be premature to speculate on any details that will or will not be a part of the next fiscal year budget," OMB spokesman Sean Kevelighan said, because negotiations between the White House and the Cabinet departments over the budget are not finished.

"There's been staunch support of our department, and you'll see it again this February" when Bush's 2009 budget emerges, Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke predicted.

The proposal to drastically cut Homeland Security grants is at odds with some of the administration's own policies. For example, the White House recently promised continued funding for state and regional intelligence "fusion centers" - information-sharing centers the administration deems critical to preventing another terrorist attack. Cutting the grants would limit money available for the centers.

The White House's plan to eliminate the port, transit and other grants, which are popular with state and local officials, would not go into effect until Sept. 30, 2008. Congress is unlikely to support the cuts and will ultimately decide the fate of the programs and the funding levels when it hashes out the department's 2009 budget next year. The White House routinely seeks to cut the budget requests of federal departments, but the cuts proposed for 2009 Homeland Security grants are far deeper than the norm. Congress has yet to approve the department's 2008 plan.

"This budget proposal is dead on arrival," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. "This administration runs around the country scaring people and then when it comes to putting their money where their mouth is, they say 'Sorry, the bank is closed.'"

California receives a large share of the counterrorism money each year, and could lose more than $200 million under the White House plan.

Boxer was particularly incensed about the proposal to end money for port security - a big concern on the West Coast. "California's ports carry over 47 percent of all goods imported into the United States," she said. "A terrorist attack at any of California's ports could shut down our nation's port system and result in a mind-boggling loss for our nation's economy."

Bipartisan opposition to deep cuts emerged from New York, another state that would be hard hit.

"To zero out essential Homeland Security programs which have more to do with protecting Americans and fighting the war on terror than much of the money spent in Iraq shows how warped and out of touch this administration's priorities are," said Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat.

The proposal "goes totally in the wrong direction," said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. "This would be a very grave mistake, and I will do all I can to stop it."

In some years the grant program has created more ill will than security. In 2005, the administration cut by 40 percent the counterterrorism funding to New York and Washington, D.C., the two cities hit hardest on Sept. 11. New York lawmakers were furious, and the Homeland Security official in charge of the grants program eventually resigned. Since then, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has promised to apply more common sense and less "bean-counting" in grant decisions.

The White House plan calls for massive cuts in areas where Homeland Security officials had sought increases. The department requested $900 million for grants to U.S. cities at greatest risk of attack. But the White House only wants to provide $400 million for that program, to be divided among no more than 45 urban areas. In 2007, Congress gave New York City $134 million - about a third of the total amount the White House would give to the highest risk areas in the country in 2009.

While very popular in the states and among lawmakers who take credit for getting counterterrorism dollars to their districts, some of the Homeland Security grants have been criticized as wasteful or excessive.

• $345,000 for crashproof barriers and 60 closed-circuit cameras to monitor the University of Arkansas Razorback stadium, which local officials think could be a terrorist target.
  
• $5 million for the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology to buy a nearly deserted town to use for counterterrorism training.
  
• $70,000 for Huntsville, Ala. to create a fallout shelter in an abandoned mine where 20,000 people could take cover underground.
  
• Several South Florida fire departments have used Homeland Security grants to beef up their gyms. Pompano Beach, Fla., spent $220,000 on fitness equipment for a wellness program, training and physical exams.

While the White House would eliminate at least seven current Homeland Security grant programs, it would create two new grants:

• Targeted investment grants, which would fund administration priorities such as the requirement that states create more secure driver's licenses, secure credentials for transportation employees and state and local planning for catastrophic disasters. The White House would provide $450 million for that.
  
• A $300 million discretionary grant program for terrorism preparedness, prevention and response, which would fund specific projects instead of sending a set amount to each state.

These grants have long been debated in Congress, particularly whether a certain amount should be guaranteed to each state regardless of its risk of being attacked by terrorists. Rural lawmakers have not wanted the money to be distributed based on risk alone because it would mean their states and districts would see cuts.

In a joint statement, Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, chairman and ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, said they "urge the administration to reconsider this wrong-headed strategy."

[missingamerica]

lolll...another example of this Administration''s pre-planning. But the plan, you see, is for the election of the Administration after this upcoming one.

Leave the mortgage mess on the table by merely "extending" teaser rates. Leave the national debt at historically high levels. Leave the U.S. military overstretched, overstressed, and with worn out equipment. Gut the nation''s port security and other homeland defense funding. Leave the nation suffering from soaring energy costs. Leave the nation''s job market under constantly increasing threat from lower labor cost, environmentally unregulated nations. Leave the nation suffering from gaping borders and a floodtide of illegal immigration. Leave the nation with a health care and health insurance crisis. Leave the nation with a soaring inequality curve. Leave the nation with a crippled and ever sinking dollar. Leave the nation with enormous amounts of its debt - and its economic future - in the hands of foreign powers. Leave the nation with Russia having pulled out of the Conventional Forces treaty in Europe. Leave the nation with a war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Leave the nation with the Chinese now having the technology to knock satellites out of orbit.

Then, hope that one or another of the disaster scenarios occur during the next Administration so that your Party play the blame game, reattain power, and then rape the Treasury and the citizens of America one more time.

[olebd]

Could this be a plan by this admin to leave enforcement low on funds, therefore more vulnerable to an attack right before election time so that the Republicon party can win another election through old fear tactics much like what was used in the last campaign?????? Just a thought.

[idlepugilist]

Our President was advised to cut anti-terror funds due to some spotting of wasteful spending. Just don''t touch Haliburton subsidiaries and contractors who are uncontrolled purveyors of waste around Iraq. It''s much wiser to cuts funds directly in the United States, because our greatest security threat is outside of our borders, right? Why not have an oversight committee review how the money is spent for internal security, rather than just cut the hand off? You can bet the pallet-loads of money will continue to flow to Iraq unchecked.

[radiob-2009]

Is he drinking again or snorting the coke again?

[erpcat]

typical shock, bait & switch tactics by this admin

[rushlimpdrug]

sound like the same old cut and run repub tactics.
Everyone take your shoes off and watch the show.

[sparkyguy]

$10 billion a month for the Iraq war isn''t too much, but $3 billion for a year to protect American cities is too much. Does not compute.

[frankly6]

If the Bush administration was really serious about homeland security, they would secure the ports and borders. The truth is that they just want to free up the money to give to Halliburton in Iraq.

[pelostilaho]

Now, you are getting a bit wacky, like the Left Nazis here, Mr. President.

First you have Condi comparing being segregated to the plight of the poor, murderous, bomb throwing Palestinians.

Now you have this. Only plays into the hands of the real cowards and traitors like Pelosi, Reid, Hillary and Boy Obama - and for guys like Jim Baker.

Or are you starting to emulate that pig?

And is this way Fran Townsend resigned???

Shape up, Mr. Bush, you''re playing right into the Nazis who post their hate Bush spew here.

[stagg_lee]

George W is such a moron. How many more days do we have to put up with him? There ought to be a law to remove him from office.

Yeah, I guess we finally won the war on terror! Shouldn''t there be parades or something?

FYI: Iraq is now costing $14 BILLION PER MONTH

[greatdrivew]

Bush apparently realizes that his fellow swine have gorged themselves long enough on dollars. Either that or he wants to steer these dollars to other friends.

[samrensho]

Heck yeah cut port security - there isn''t any anyway. It''s much easier to smuggle in a nuke in your carry-on than in a cargo container - NOT. Old GW just gets loonier every day.

[blancadebree]

Obviously we are winning the War on Terrah; we''re fighting them over there, so they are too preoccupied to buy Tom Tom''s to fight us over here; we are moving forward; but we need to keep alert; stay the course; put your left foot in, take your left foot out, shake it all about...

http://blancadebree.blogspot.com

[walt1944-2009]

The Great Emperor Bush wants to stop funding for the anti-"terrrrror" measures it put in place after 9/11.

The Great Emperor reasons(???) that since he doesn''t have time to think about Osama Bin Laden anymore (even though Bin Laden is still out there and so is Al Qeada and other terrorist groups), and since the military (or someone in government) is saying that violence in Iraq is down and the "SURGE" is working, we therefore, using the imperial logic of the Great Decider, have WON the war on "Terrrrror" and can now cut funding to "needless" projects such as port and airport security, inspecting containers, and patroling the borders.

Of course, if he is able to convince Congress to go along with this madness (the average citizen doesn''t count in the Emperor''s equation, as if he ever did!), there has been no indication as to what the Emperor will do with the additional money saved, but it is rumored that he may pump this money into the banking industry to "save" the average homeowner from losing their home by providing special "bailout loans" (and thereby increase profits for the banking industry)!

HAIL TO THE GREAT IMPERIAL "LOGIC" OF THE GREAT DECIDER!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

[kissamaarse]

Great. After chasing us with tera - ist boogie men for years, now the grand imbecile wants to cut funding.

[olebd]

Maybe we can cut the port security money. It seems wasted anyway considering the amount of lead tainted products from China that made it through.

[redbarron73]

"To zero out essential Homeland Security programs which have more to do with protecting Americans and fighting the war on terror than much of the money spent in Iraq shows how warped and out of touch this administration''s priorities are," said Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat.

[redbarron73]

Not to mention the fact that we can''t afford health care for children, a new agriculture bill, federal support for our nations food banks, border security,or perhaps the radical idea of putting the same 2 trillion dollars spent fighting for Iraq''s oil into research & development of alternative fuels. Tell me why, as rich as this country is, that anyone over 65 should EVER have to worry about food or shelter. But then, if we don''t mind sacrificing the lives of our young soldiers for the profits of the few, why would we care about the rest of our citizens.

[ubrew12]

sparkyguy said: "$10 billion a month for the Iraq war isn''''t too much, but $3 billion for a year to protect American cities is too much. Does not compute."

The Prez''s priorities have always computed for me, after those terrorists hit Baghdad on 9-11.

[hardlynormal-2009]

IVE BEEN SAYIN IT ALL ALONG, BUSH AND HIS FLUNKIES ARE BAD FOR THIS COUNTRY, AND NOW THAT EVERYONE IS RESNING, HE GOT PRETTY LOW KEY, WELL YOU ALMOST BANKRUPED MY COUNTRY FOR YOUR GAIN, BUSH. NOW GO AWAY AN LET US (AMERICANS) TRY TO FIX IT ALL.

[irishmail42]

So the Bush Administration want to cut counterterrorism funding becuse it "is not convinced that the money has been well spent."

What''s next? Perhaps they''ll feel the same way about the billions spent in Iraq? Right.

[downtowner97]

I''m having a nice, relaxing weekend working around the house, while Fox News is frantically trying to think of an explanation for why Bush would cut antiterror funding.

I''m guessing the explanation will be that the Dems are about to take all the money away from our troops in Iraq, leaving them defenseless, and therefore the Dems have forced Bush to take money from homeland security to make sure the troops can keep buying bullets. Yeah, that''s it!

[downtowner97]

In the meantime, the top story on Foxnews.com right now is about Hugo Chavez. He''s clearly going to kill us all, so we have to kill him first. Raise your hand if you''re afraid of Hugo Chavez. Psst, Bush supporters, that means you. There you go. Good sheep.


By the way, where are all the Bush supporters in these comments? I want to see them spin.

[downtowner97]

Come to think of it, I know exactly why Bush is cutting antiterror funding. THERE ARE NO FREAKIN'' TERRORISTS!!! There never were. You can put a guy who talked about blowing up a mall in a restaurant in prison for 10 years for being a terrorist, and your support numbers are still in the toilet. You''ve lost the war for hearts and minds of Americans.

[samrensho]

Since "Tare" has obviously been taken care of I wonder what card they''ll play for the 2008 campaign? It has worked so long. Must be Rove''s "Blind Patriotism" scenario because at least half the population is still stupid.

The ineptitude of this administration is ludicrous!!! It screams and hollers about terrorists and then cuts the funding for vital programs! How can the country stand him for another year????

[sevenveils]

The money has been spent as planned. Now tiny 1 light towns have traffic cameras linked to the national web of observation cameras using shape, license plate and face recognition software.
Cutting the budget eliminates local police camera watchers and leave the video feed to be observed by mainly the feds.

Has anyone noticed these "traffic cameras" video feed isn''t available to the public?

[j-whitman]

ainttaken,,,,, Move to Dubai ?? That''s what republicans have done --- No Rules or Regulation -- No Thanks

[cdfoxtrot]

No security for our ports? Then why do we have to endure all this hassle everytime we want want to get on a plane? Just goes to show all this 9/11 anti-terror rhetoric is just a bunch of bu_llshi_t to frighten people into voting Repiglican. They''ve given up on ''08, so now they''re cutting spending so they can go back to pretending to be the party of fiscal responsibility.

[downtowner97]

Oh where oh where have the Bush lovers gone.
Oh where oh where could they be?


LOL Cmon guys. Tell us how us Bush haters are weakening the country. Call us names. Tell us we''re ***$. Tell us how it''s all Clinton''s fault. Tell us the only reason we haven''t been attacked again is because Bush is doing such an incredible job of keeping us safe. It isn''t Sunday morning, so I know you''re not in church.

Say anything. We miss you.

[idlepugilist]

This should be a forum about the President''s actions, but it was reduced to name calling again by Pelostilaho: "the Nazis who post their hate Bush spew here". Truly? Does this sound like hate?: "typical shock, bait & switch tactics", or "$3 billion for a year to protect American cities is too much. Does not compute." I am sorry my republican neighbors take it personally when poor choices by the President are criticized.

[iceman_1960]

"The Bush administration intends to slash counterterrorism funding for police, firefighters and rescue departments across the country by more than half next year, according to budget documents obtained by The Associated Press."

If the choice was between this and eliminating those tax cuts, could there be any question about the decision Bush"s handlers would make ?

Could it be that the real and hidden costs of the Iraq war have made these cuts necessary ?

Then the war will have made us a lot less safe.

[starleo146]

This is just a way of the decider to pay back the Congress for not giving him the197 billion he from day one finds a way to get even if the decider does not get his way. How many defense cuts is this now since Congress said no only enough to start bringing the troops home. He has already singned with Maliki to keep 50000 troops for long term without Congress permission he says he doesn''t need it so send Congress home and stop there pay till the decider decides.

[idlepugilist]

Susan Collins, R-Maine, chairman and ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, said they "urge the administration to reconsider this wrong-headed strategy." My republican neighbors, even the politicians you voted into office know the President is wrong. Again.

[downtowner97]

The clock for blaming Clinton and others for Bush''s failed policies has run out. Bush is seeing what it''s like to be an average American. The rent is due, and there is only enough money left in the bank for groceries. The credit cards are maxed out, and our allies, like a loving parent, have stopped giving us money so we can learn to work for it.

[iceman_1960]

"White House Wants To Cut Anti-Terror Funds"

Ah... before the November election in 2008.

Makes sense. If another 9-11 occurs before then, Rudy Giuliani"s victory is in the bag.

That Karl Rove... "retired," huh ? No way. The guy just never stops thinking.

[forthepeopl1]

ok ready yet america???

REVOLUTION IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET AMERICA BACK FROM THESE COMMIES

[idlepugilist]

Iceman, with the gargantuan debt our President has helped trap us into with such loving allies as China, you know we''re just starting to see the ramifications of Bush''s War. Yes, Mr. President, we see you are playing a game, ages 3 to 8.

[iceman_1960]

If another 9-11 occurs before the 2008 Presidential election, Rudy Giuliani"s victory is in the bag.

So why not help it along a bit ? Increase the odds ? Nothing too obvious, of course.

You can see the wheels turning in Karl Rove"s head.

[forthepeopl1]

YOU ALL HAVE TO SEE WHAT IS COMMING RIGHT???

IF WE GET ATTACK AGAIN BEFORE THE ELECTION, THIS WOULD GIVE HIM THE RIGHT TO CLAIM HIMSELF KING, AND PUT AMERICA UNDER HIS CONTROL..DONT YOU ALL SEE THIS?

IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.. WHY DO YOU THINK CHENEY HELP IN GETTING BLACKWATER STARTED. HIS AND BUSHES PRIVATE ARMY..THEY WOULD KILL A CHILD IF BUSH/CHENEY SAID TO. EVEN THEIR OWN..

[idlepugilist]

What is remarkable about the wind-down of the Bush administration is that literally nothing has been done to reduce our debts to foreign nations to finance the Iraq war. There is no chance a republican will be the next President, which leaves Hillary, Obama or someone else to start the clean-up in aisle 7. Republicans are already lining up for sound bites about "tax and spend" Democrats when someone responsible becomes President and makes tough choices to fix the debts and blunders George Bush created. Naturally, Republicans will forget that they are "spend it all" Republicans, utterly lacking the foresight or integrity to figure out how to pay down the loans.

[jetranger7]

GOOD I SAY GOOD, BUT, I''D RATHER SEE THEM CUT THE SALARIES OF THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT AND OTHER WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS AND PENTAGON IDIOTS TOO, NOW THAT TRULY WOULD BE A FEAT !!!

[idlepugilist]

Oh, wait, I have it figured out... George Bush will declare bankruptcy Chapter 7 so we won''t have to pay back any of the loans to foreign nations. Simple as that. Then George can keep an unlimited number of over-extended troops in Iraq without accountability again.

[starleo146]

This is just a way of the decider to pay back the Congress for not giving him the197 billion he from day one finds a way to get even if the decider does not get his way. How many defense cuts is this now since Congress said no only enough to start bringing the troops home. He has already signed with Maliki to keep 50000 troops for long term without Congress permission he says he doesn''t need it so send Congress home and stop there pay till the decider decides.

[bareemperor]

The frosting on the Bu$h administration''s cake...
Perpetrate 9/11 to invade Iraq, then cut funding for anti-terrorist investigations...
These are YOUR tax dollars they are stealing, get mad!
These NeoCon-men see the public as endless income.

[starleo146]

What is remarkable about the wind-down of the Bush administration is that literally nothing has been done to reduce our debts to foreign nations to finance the Iraq war. There is no chance a republican will be the next President, which leaves Hillary, Obama or someone else to start the clean-up in aisle 7. Republicans are already lining up for sound bites about "tax and spend" Democrats when someone responsible becomes President and makes tough choices to fix the debts and blunders George Bush created. Naturally, Republicans will forget that they are "spend it all" Republicans, utterly lacking the foresight or integrity to figure out how to pay down the loans.

Posted by IdlePugilist at 01:16 PM : Dec 01, 2007


George Bush and Darth Vader has accomplished along with all those tap-- taps and whatever, they have accomplished a dream for the democrats for the next decade he has convinced the American people to not vote for a republican for the next decade.

[j-whitman]

IdlePugilist,,,, Watch, come Christmas morning all the good guys & bad guys will be sitting on a sofa passing gifts & singing Kumbaya while passing gifts & a bong

[starleo146]

I have said over and over this Homeland Security is so out there and accomplishing nothing and congress has allocated money and the fence in Mexico is still sitting there not built. We need an audit is what I say and have been saying and wrote my elected representatives who lucky me happen to be republican, no response I tell you shut the government down how worse can it be Impeach now

[starleo146]

You are so right Karl Rove would not have left the hip of George Bush for love or money he goes home with all the documents that can hurt them and plans from home . What in the world is wrong we can not do a thing?