This week I cosponsored an amendment that I believe is critically important to Kansas City and all of Missouri’s Fifth District. The amendment was to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. In short, I continued to protest that Kansas City was cut from eligibility for such funding in the past – and I keep fighting to right that wrong. The funding cut, in my opinion, leaves a huge hole in emergency services in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster.
Two years ago, during budget cuts, Kansas City was one of dozens of cities cut from the list of those eligible from taking part in the Urban Areas Security Intiative (UASI) program. My amendment was an effort to continue that funding so emergency workers and all citizens of the Fifth District have the protection they both need and deserve in the event of a disaster. My amendment would increase funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s State and Local Program by $58M and would allow Kansas City to compete for these grant dollars. UASI makes it possible for communities to have the latest in training, technology and equipment to prevent and prepare for terrorist threats, attacks and other major disasters.
Without this money, the jobs of police officers, firefighters and first responders become much more difficult. From tornadoes to terrorists we must do all we can to make sure we are prepared, and that the tools and techniques available to emergency workers are top-notch. In fact, after the F5 tornado that touched down in Joplin last year, three UASI funded search and rescue vehicles from the Kansas City area were sent to rescue survivors.
If the safety and security of our communities is not a clear priority, I don’t know what is. Kansas City should remain eligible for these funds. That has always been my stance – and will continue to be.
On a separate note – I voted against three amendments to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that would have directly eliminated funding for the National Bio-Agro Facility. All three of those amendments failed. So right now, the bill includes $75M for construction of this facility. It is a facility that is very important to our area’s continued economic growth and ability to offer high-paying jobs. I continue to be hopeful that this funding will be included in the final version of the bill.
Two years ago, during budget cuts, Kansas City was one of dozens of cities cut from the list of those eligible from taking part in the Urban Areas Security Intiative (UASI) program. My amendment was an effort to continue that funding so emergency workers and all citizens of the Fifth District have the protection they both need and deserve in the event of a disaster. My amendment would increase funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s State and Local Program by $58M and would allow Kansas City to compete for these grant dollars. UASI makes it possible for communities to have the latest in training, technology and equipment to prevent and prepare for terrorist threats, attacks and other major disasters.
Without this money, the jobs of police officers, firefighters and first responders become much more difficult. From tornadoes to terrorists we must do all we can to make sure we are prepared, and that the tools and techniques available to emergency workers are top-notch. In fact, after the F5 tornado that touched down in Joplin last year, three UASI funded search and rescue vehicles from the Kansas City area were sent to rescue survivors.
If the safety and security of our communities is not a clear priority, I don’t know what is. Kansas City should remain eligible for these funds. That has always been my stance – and will continue to be.
On a separate note – I voted against three amendments to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that would have directly eliminated funding for the National Bio-Agro Facility. All three of those amendments failed. So right now, the bill includes $75M for construction of this facility. It is a facility that is very important to our area’s continued economic growth and ability to offer high-paying jobs. I continue to be hopeful that this funding will be included in the final version of the bill.
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