SCHUMER: MANCHESTER TERROR ATTACK HIGHLIGHTS A VERY DANGEROUS CUT IN THE PRESIDENT’S BUDGET; TRUMP CUTS KEY NYC ANTI-TERRORISM FUNDING PROGRAM—UASI—BY TENS-OF-MILLIONS; SENATOR LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO RESTORE VITAL NYC, NYPD ANTI-TERROR FUNDING THAT HAS SAVED LIVES

We Are On The Heels Of Yet Another High-Profile Terror Attack In A Big City—But Trump Budget Takes Away NYC Anti-Terror Funds; Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Program Provides Critical Funding To NYPD & NYC; Funding  Keeps NYPD A Step Ahead Of Terrorists

Schumer Has Continuously—Under Both Administrations—Made The Case For NYC UASI Anti-Terror Funds—And Won Them Back

Schumer: At A Time When Terrorism Is On The Rise, We Should Not Be Disinvesting in NYC Anti-Terror Funds 

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said today that President Trump’s just-released budget‎ proposal slashes funding for critical anti-terrorism programs that enable New York law enforcement‎ to prevent and respond to terror attacks. The Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), which helps cities to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism, was recommended by President Trump for a funding level of only $448 million, a cut of over 25% from its current funding level of $605 million. Schumer said that this kind of cut would especially hurt New York City and comes on the heels of a high-profile terror attack that shows how ISIS and other groups, including lone wolves, are still concentrating their efforts to attack using the backdrop of big cities and large events.  

“The horrible Manchester attack tells us that terrorists and other evil-doers are laser focused on our weak points and still looking to exploit big cities and large events. In light of these events, it makes absolutely no sense for the just-released Trump budget to cut the anti-terror dollars New York City uses to keep us all safe.” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “As New Yorkers, we understand the need to remain vigilant when it comes to terror because our home has been a primary of terrorists target in the past. UASI is the lifeblood of New York’s anti-terror programs and the cornerstone of effective preparedness and prevention against terror threats. At a time when terrorism is on the rise, we should not be cutting anti-terrorism funds that prevent costly and crippling disasters and more importantly, save lives.”  

The UASI program provides funding to address the unique needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas like the New York metropolitan area. Schumer said that these funds help keeps us one step ahead of the terrorists and New York City needs all the UASI funds it can get to help make sure we are kept safe. Schumer said that President Trump’s budget also eliminates anti-terrorism funding for the Non-Profit Security Grant program, which typically provides anti-terrorism funds to schools, museums, stadiums, religious and community centers so that they have the adequate funding to invest in protection against possible terrorists.

The Homeland Security Grant Program also ‎plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System and is comprised of three interconnected grant programs: The Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Operation Stonegarden. Together, these grant programs fund a range of preparedness activities, including planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises, and management and administration. Schumer has long advocated for robust UASI funding for New York City through the Congressional appropriations process. Schumer has also been successful in preventing planned cuts to already allocated UASI funding.

Schumer explained that urban cities like New York City rely on UASI funds to maintain terrorism prevention and response infrastructure. For instance, New York City uses a portion of UASI funds to support crucial First Responder Training efforts. Examples of this include the Fire Department's (FDNY) Tiered Response Training and the Police Department's (NYPD) Counter-Terrorism Training, such as the active shooter course. UASI funds also pay for coordinated regional planning exercises throughout the New York City Metropolitan area. The exercises are designed to prepare and coordinate multi-jurisdictional emergency response related to a large and catastrophic event. UASI funds have been used on Ground Law Enforcement Security Measures, which includes heavy-weapons teams that conduct ongoing patrols at transit hubs, airports, bridges, subways, waterways and highly visited landmarks‎.

A terror attack in Manchester, England on Monday, May 22^nd, killed 22 people, including several children. With dozens more still in the hospital, the alleged bomber has been identified as Salman Abedi, a 22 year old British national, who had reportedly received some level of training from ISIS during time spent in Syria just months before the attack. Based on photos published by the media, the attacker used shrapnel and a detonator in his suicide mission. The investigation continues, with police on high alert and the U.K. terror threat raised to critical, the highest level. 

Under the Trump Budget, critical national preparedness and emergency planning programs take a significant cut. The budget proposes to cut funding for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) by nearly $160 million, crippling the ability of our largest and most vulnerable metropolitan cities to respond to and mitigate acts of terror.

• Current funding level: $605 million.
• Proposed funding level: $448 million.

The Trump Budget eliminates the non-profit security grant, which provides non-profits and cultural and religious institutions with funds necessary to protect against hate crimes.

• Current funding level: $25 million.
• Proposed funding level: $0.

The Trump Budget also proposes to slash the State Homeland Security Grant Program.

• Current funding level: $467 million.
• Proposed funding level: $349 million.

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