Rep. Norm Dicks blasts cuts in Homeland Security bill

{mosads}“This is remarkable when, on the one hand, you have Republicans on the Armed Services Committee intent on making the global war on terrorism permanent, and then Republicans on the Appropriations Committee attempting to decimate funding to states, cities and localities to prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks,” he said.

Firefighter assistance grants and research funding are also cut. Dicks points out that the bill caps the numbers Transportation Security agents to 46,000 and does not fund a new DHS headquarters.

“Yesterday, the Republican majority released their brutal subcommittee allocations for the FY 2012 fiscal year, which, if enacted, would necessitate draconian cuts to programs that Americans depend on including Pell Grants, Head Start, Food Safety and WIC, as well as assistance to state and local governments,” he added.