SCHUMER: PROPOSED ADMIN CUTS WOULD SPELL REAL TROUBLE FOR SECURITY AT INDIAN POINT & NY HARBOR; REMOVING CRITICAL COAST GUARD RESOURCES COULD HAMPER USCG’S PATROLS AND RESPONSE DURING AN EMERGENCY, MAKING THE LOWER HUDSON VALLEY AND NYC LESS SAFE & SECURE; SENATOR VOWS TO PROTECT FUNDING

Senator Says Budget Aims To Slash Already Tight Coast Guard, & Other Vital Security Force, Budgets By A Billion Dollars; Schumer Highlights Security Necessities That Would Lose Amidst Cuts

Schumer: Public’s Safety Is Paramount, Especially At Indian Point, Airports & Guarding Our Waterways; Senator Makes Case To Protect NY From Admin’s Cash Raid

Schumer: Slashing Funds That Help Protect Indian Point Is Unacceptable

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today sounded the alarm regarding the Administration’s proposed cuts to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), cuts Schumer says would put Indian Point’s security at risk.

“The Coast Guard plays a vital role protecting Indian Point against potential terror attack so any cuts – especially the large and unwarranted ones now being proposed by this administration – undermine our safety and should be rejected. I will lead the effort to do just that. When it comes to protecting our citizens – on our waterways or airports – from the very real threats of terror, we can’t rob Peter to pay Paul,” said Senator Schumer.  In an age of terror threats and lone wolves, the Administration’s budget cuts to the USCG would spell real trouble for security here in the Lower Hudson Valley, which houses Indian Point, and New York City. We know from experience from recent attacks that Homeland Security needs more support to keep us safe, not less, especially when the plan is to divert money to make the American taxpayer build a border wall that is absurdly expensive and that the experts tell us will do nothing to keep us safe from would be terrorists.”

According to a budget proposal and reports, the White House is seeking a 14 percent cut to the USCG budget and an 11 percent cut to the TSA budget in an effort to pay for a wall along the Southern border.  A wall that, Schumer says, is ineffective, would not increase national security and is profoundly expensive.

The USCG is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of Indian Point and the Port of New York and New Jersey, the largest operating field command in all of the United States. They conduct Port and Waterways Coastal Security, Search and Rescue, and Boating Safety missions. In November, the USCG helped rescue 100 people off a ferry in NY Harbor; and in March, the USCG helped respond to a plane crash in the Hudson.

Schumer, today, said cutting funds programs that collectively act as the bricks in the firewall that is national security would be bad for America, but especially disastrous for New York.

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