Statement of Secretary Tom Ridge before the Senate Appropriations Committee

Release Date: 03/27/03 00:00:00

Good morning.  Chairman Stevens, Senator Byrd, and distinguished members of the Committee - I am privileged to be with you today to discuss the President's wartime Supplemental Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security.

As I begin, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the men and women of our armed forces who are bravely serving our nation in defense of our freedoms and values.  Their efforts on behalf of this Nation are truly noteworthy.  In particular, I want to recognize the sacrifices that each of these men and women are making and thank their families on behalf of a grateful nation for their service.  As we have already seen, freedom comes at a price and for some, the ultimate price has been paid as they laid down their lives in service to our country.

I also want to pause to reflect on the men and women who are providing security to our homeland.  Our effort abroad would be incomplete without dedicated individuals at home who have accepted the call to safeguard our homeland - from First Responders to those who secure our borders, ports, waterways, and critical infrastructure - their efforts are crucial to preserving our way of life.  

Collectively, our armed forces and our men and women securing the homeland exemplify the best of our National spirit and determination to defend liberty at home and abroad.

It is with gratitude for their sacrifice and service that we request this supplemental budget to the Congress to help support their efforts in this war on terrorism.  

As America executes Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Department of Homeland Security requests an increase of $3.5 billion to support Operation Liberty Shield and other measures to enhance our security at home.  

The resources provided through this supplemental budget request will allow the Department to assist our partners at the state and local level to prepare our nation's first responders and to protect our Nation from the threat of terrorism.

Specifically, the Department seeks $2.0 billion for state and local terrorism preparedness and prevention. These resources will support further enhancements to state and local terrorism preparedness efforts, including Federally-coordinated prevention and security enhancements.  This request will help state and local First Responders with new equipment, training, and better emergency planning.  As part of Operation Liberty Shield, the funding will also improve protection at critical infrastructure facilities and help secure high threat urban areas.

The supplemental budget request builds upon ongoing efforts of the Office for Domestic Preparedness which made available nearly $600 million to states earlier this month.  It also enables states and localities to meet emerging and short-term homeland security measures.  

Funding is requested for three activities:

• $1.5 billion of the supplemental request will go towards enhancing the capacity of state and local jurisdictions to prepare for incidents of terrorism on U.S. soil.  Grant funds for state and local terrorism and preparedness activities may be used for the acquisition of equipment, training, exercises, and planning.  Consistent with past practices, at least 80% of the total amount will be passed through to local governments for First Responders in the various cities.  To the extent practicable, state and local spending plans should be consistent with the most recent state preparedness strategy.
• $450 million is requested for states to augment security at critical infrastructure facilities during the duration of Operation Liberty Shield.  Grants will be allocated to states by formula, but no less than one-third of each grant must be allocated to local jurisdictions.
• $50 million is requested to enable the Secretary of Homeland Security to support additional protection or preparedness needs of selected urban areas facing a particular high threat.

The supplemental budget request also includes $1.5 billion for the Department of Homeland Security for the costs of providing support to prevent, counter, investigate and respond to unexpected threats or acts of terrorism - during this period of heightened threat.  

This funding is intended to support:

• Increased operations tempo in the Border and Transportation Security directorate, including additional screening of visitors crossing the border, more secondary inspection of immigrants and visitors at ports-of-entry, increased inspection of high-risk goods and cargo at ports-of-entry, additional flight hours for airspace security, and increased security between ports-of-entry on the northern border.
• Pre-deployment of federal emergency response assets in preparation for potential terrorist attacks, and activation of government emergency response plans and activities as well as other urgent homeland security requirements based on threats that may emerge.
• Enhance Coast Guard protection of critical U.S. ports during the duration of the conflict.  The funding will support the activation of over 6,000 reservists.
• Funding will also support Coast Guard forces already deployed or in the process of being deployed to the operational theater and the protection of the military out-loads in U.S. ports.

In summary, the supplemental budget request for the Department of Homeland Security supports the Administration's objectives to support our troops abroad and increase safety at home.  

This supplemental budget will provide the Department with the resources to manage its responsibilities and continue its work of securing the homeland for the American people.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, this concludes my prepared statement.  I would be happy to answer any questions you may have at this time.

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