“I want the House to pass this bill. It requires regular reports on security funding for cities that lose federal anti-terrorism grants.”

“Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8874) to amend the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 to require recurring reports on the transition of jurisdictions no longer eligible for Urban Area Security Initiative funding, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:”

“I support this bill. Cities can lose federal anti-terrorism grants when risk levels change each year. This bill requires regular reports to Congress on whether those cities can still protect themselves after losing that money.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8874, the Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026. This legislation requires DHS to provide a report to Congress every 3 years on the Homeland Security capabilities of urban areas that have previously received funding through the Urban Area Security Initiative, or UASI. The FEMA Grant Programs Directorate provides preparedness funding to assist States, localities, urban areas, and Tribal and territorial governments and strengthen the Nation’s ability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. Every year, FEMA determines eligible high-risk urban areas for UASI funding through analysis of relative risk of terrorism experienced by urban areas in the United States. As relative terrorism risk undertaken by urban area jurisdictions changes every year, this can sometimes lead to urban areas that were once eligible for UASI funding in one year no longer being eligible in future years. This legislation will provide consistent information to Congress on the ability of urban areas at risk of terrorism threats to maintain their Homeland Security capabilities. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. Cities need security grants to stop terrorism, and Congress needs regular updates on how this money is handled.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I also applaud the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter) for his leadership on this piece of legislation. As a Member from New York, I have seen firsthand the benefits and the need for UASI grants. I think it is very important that Congress be kept informed of decisions being made when it comes to these grants. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, H.R. 8874, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

• Little substance
  ?

  Speech on a bill

  Signal 37 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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