SENATOR COLLINS WORKS TO SECURE FUNDING FOR COUNTERTERRORISM TECHNOLOGY FOR STATE & LOCAL POLICE

Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate has approved legislation introduced by Senator Susan Collins that will help better equip police officers with cutting-edge technology to prevent and fight terrorism. Senator Collins' amendment would provide funding for programs under the Homeland Security Technology Act, which identifies advanced Counterterrorism equipment and training that are used at the federal level and ensures they are shared with state and local law enforcement agencies. Senator Collins is also responsible for introducing the Homeland Security Technology Act, which was unanimously approved by the Senate last February. The funding amendment must now be approved by Senate and House budget negotiators.

"We must continue to do more to help first responders become first preventers – to help them apprehend terrorists and thwart attacks before they happen. We must also ensure that they have the best resources available to respond should an attack occur," said Senator Collins. "Police in Maine and across the nation are in need of counterterrorism technology, especially interoperable communication equipment. This funding will get the latest equipment and training into the hands of those who need it most – the front line officers who protect our communities and who are first to respond to an attack."

Senator Collins' amendment to fund counterterrorism technology transfer programs has been endorsed by the Major Chiefs Association, the Major Sheriffs Association, and the National Sheriffs Association.

"In addition, the amendment is cost-neutral because it uses $50 million that was already set aside for the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program," said Senator Collins. "The same law enforcement agencies who stand to receive the benefits of both programs support this funding for counterterrorism technology transfer programs."

The programs would be run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Domestic Preparedness in coordination with the Science and Technology Directorate. Senator Collins is the Chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over DHS.

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