Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced today that New York is set to receive $257,236,686 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). First, Schumer and Gillibrand announced $178,623,000 in Fiscal Year 2016 funding for the New York City area through the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI). The UASI program provides funding to address the unique needs of high-threat, high-density Urban Areas. The funding assists these localities in building sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. In addition, $5,172,143 in UASI funding has been awarded to the New York City area for use by nonprofit organizations that are high-risk of attack to improve their security. Schumer and Gillibrand have long advocated for robust UASI funding for New York City.
The Senators also announced $76,949,000 in the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and $1,664,686 for Operation Stonegarden (OPSG). SHSP funding supports the implementation of the strategies to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events. OPSG funding enhances coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement for security purposes.
Earlier this year, Schumer and Gillibrand vowed to fight against the White House’s budget proposal that wrongly cut New York City’s FY17 by nearly $300 million. Following Schumer and Gillibrand’s push, the Homeland Security budget in the Senate rightfully restored those funds to $600 million. The funding being announced today is for FY16.
“With ISIS-inspired attacks and terrorism on the rise across the globe, we must make sure we have the resources needed to remain protected,” said Senator Schumer. “As New Yorkers, we understand the need to remain vigilant when it comes to terror threats because our home has always been a primary target. This critical anti-terrorism funding gives our first responders the resources they need to help keep us safe.”
“New York is the number one terror target in the world, so we must continue to be vigilant, and I’ll continue to fight for every available federal resource to keep us safe,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We must maintain these critical anti-terror funds so law enforcement has the resources they need to continue to protect New York.”
The purpose of the Homeland Security Program is to provide funding to assist state and local governments in obtaining the resources needed to increase law enforcement terrorism prevention capabilities. Funds will be used to address identified planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.
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