SENATOR COLLINS LEADS DEFEAT OF AMENDMENT TO SLASH HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDS FOR MAINE AND 35 OTHER STATES

Washington, D.C. – Senator Susan Collins today led the successful effort in the Senate to defeat an amendment offered to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act that would have slashed by two-thirds the homeland security grant funding now guaranteed to Maine and other states. The amendment authored by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) would have cut scarce homeland security dollars for Maine and 35 other states in order to provide more funds to 14 larger states. These urban states already receive more than 70 percent of all homeland security grant dollars.

Senator Collins successfully led the opposition to the amendment, which failed by a vote of 35 – 65, on the Senate floor.

“The day before the 9/11 attacks, Mohammed Atta and Abdulaziz al Omari traveled to Portland, Maine, from Boston .  While the reason for their drive to Maine is unknown, the mere fact that they chose Portland , a city of 65,000, highlights the reality that no town is safe from the presence of terrorists,” said Senator Collins.  “The Menendez Amendment slashes by two-thirds the homeland security grants that every state is now guaranteed.  If we are going to become better prepared as a nation, all states must receive a predictable and reasonable base allocation of homeland security funding.  States need a predictable base level of funding each year to fund multi-year projects such as creating interoperable communications networks or first responder training regimes.”

            Senator Collins also criticized the amendment for lacking safeguards against wasteful spending. “The Menendez amendment does not require states to show that they actually need the funds and have a plan to use the money effectively,” Senator Collins said.