“Today’s vote in the House of Representatives would jeopardize New York City’s safety at a time when we continue to be the target of terrorist plots following the death of Osama Bin Laden. Just a few weeks ago, when the NYPD arrested two men plotting terrorist attacks in our City, we once again saw that the threat of terrorism remains very real. Yet if this bill becomes law, New York City would lose approximately $100 million in federal funding from Urban Areas Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant programs, and additional dollars for port and transit security. In addition, an amendment offered by Representative Hansen Clarke of Michigan eliminated a provision in the bill that would have limited the urban areas initiative to only 10 cities – further diluting the scarce funding in this bill.

“Even as we cut agency budgets across the board, New York City continues to prioritize funding for our anti-terrorism efforts, using $300 million in city taxpayer money to keep our citizens safe. We already bear too much of the costs for protecting the City, and these proposed cuts would be a severe blow to our counter-terrorism efforts.

“I would like to thank Chairman Pete King, Representatives Nita Lowey and Steve Israel and the members of the New York City Congressional delegation who understand the City’s unique security needs and have fought hard to protect them. As this bill moves to the Senate, I will continue working to prevent reductions in federal security funding to New York City.”