First Responders: Protecting The Homeland

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First Responders: Protecting The Homeland

Senator Leahy speaks with President George W. Bush during the signing ceremony of the first-ever Department of Homeland Security spending bill. [photo: Chuck Kennedy / Knight Ridder]

First responders are on the front lines of our nation's two front war. Our demands on first responders have been heavy and unrelenting. They are overworked and exhausted because they are always on duty. They are doing their jobs as frontline soldiers in the war against domestic terrorism and now it is time we do our part by helping them as they help us.

I pledge to continue to work with my colleagues to bring President Bush to the realization many of my friends in Vermont and in Congress have already reached: that federal programs that directly fund our state and local police officers, firefighters and emergency personnel require billions of dollars more to adequately prepare for domestic terrorism.

Statements and Releases About Senator Leahy's Work For First Responders:

Leahy First-Responder Grant Formula Nets Vermont $6.68 M. In New Homeland Security Funds July 18, 2007
Bipartisan Coalition Of Senators And Representatives Asks President To 'Unlock' Hometown Heroes Benefits June 7, 2007

Statement Of Sen. Patrick Leahy On Final Passage Of The "Improving America's Security By Implementing Unfinished Recommendations Of The 9/11 Commission Act Of 2007 March 13, 2007

Senate OKs Leahy's Amendment To Delay Border-Crossing Requirements, As Leahy Also Beats Back Bid To Curb First Responder Grants To Smaller States July 13, 2006

First Responder Aid And The All-State Minimum: The Menendez Amendment Takes Aim At The Wrong Target July 13, 2006

Leahy: Department Of Homeland Security Writes $14 M. Check For Vermont’s First Responders March 1, 2005

Leahy: New Milestone For Vermont’s First Responders; Leahy-Authored Fund Formula Brings State's Police, Fire And Rescue Units Another $14 M. December 2, 2004

News Release - Bush Signs Homeland Security Funding Bill; Vermont’s First Responders To Receive At Least $11.25 M. Under Leahy’s ‘All-State Minimum’ Formula October 18, 2004

News Release - Congress Passes Bill Renewing Leahy Program Providing Bulletproof Vests To Police Officers October 12, 2004

News Release - Senate Votes To Renew Leahy Program That Provides Bulletproof Vests To Police Officers …Vt. Departments Have Purchased 1,900 Vests Through Program October 1, 2004

News Release - Senate Vote Upholds Leahy 1st Responder Formula That Would Assure At Least $10 M. To Vermont September 15, 2004

News Release - President Signs Leahy Led Initiative That Helps Off-Duty Police Protect Public July 22, 2004

News Release - Senate Passes Leahy-Led Initiative That Helps Off-Duty Police Protect Public July 8, 2004

News Release - More Vermont Cops Get Bulletproof Vests Through Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program May 14, 2004

News Release - Leahy Announces $75,000 For Memorial Honoring Vermont’s Fallen Heroes May 14, 2004

Statement - Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Senate Passage Of The National Peace Officers Memorial Day Resolution (S. Res. 310) April 27, 2004

News Release - Leahy: $19 Million In New Round Of First-Responder Grants To Vermont Brings State’s Total To $40 M. March 29, 2004

News Release - Leahy Questions Secretary Ridge On Administration’s Proposal To Curb Help To Vermont’s First Responders February 10, 2004

News Release - Leahy: Bush Budget Would Shortchange Smaller States Like Vermont In Homeland Security Grants To Firefighters, Police And Rescue Squads February 2, 2004

President Bush Signs Leahy Bill To Expand Benefits For Fallen Public Safety Officers December 16, 2003

News Release - Senate Approves Leahy Bill To Expand Benefits For Fallen Public Safety Officers November 25, 2003

News Release - Justice Department Agrees To Leahy-Campbell Request For Probe Of Faulty Bulletproof Vests November 18, 2003

News Release - Leahy Seeks Probe Of Firm That Produced Faulty Bulletproof Vests November 6, 2003

News Release - Latest Round Of 1st Responder Funds For Vermont Sets Record November 3, 2003

News Release - President To Sign Homeland Security Bill Into Law Bill Includes Millions More For Vermont’s First Responders October 1, 2003

News Release - Congress Pumps Millions More Into Funding Pipeline For Vermont’s First Responders September 25, 2003

Statement - Of Senator Patrick Leahy Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee
Subcommittee On Terrorism, Technology And Homeland Security On “Terrorism: First Responders” September 3, 2003

News Release - $13 M. Set For Release Next Thursday To Vermont Police, Fire And Rescue Units June 6, 2003

News Release - Senate Approves Leahy Bill To Expand Benefits For Fallen Public Safety Officers May 16, 2003

News Release - Leahy: Washington Must Match Words With Deeds In Honoring Fallen Peace Officers May 15, 2003

News Release - Leahy: Homeland Security Department Wednesday OKs Vermont’s 1st-Responders Grant Application; $4.9 M. To Be Released Within 48 Hours May 7, 2003

News Release - At Senate Hearing, Ridge Announces Start Of Application Process For New First-Responder Funds Vermont Assured $11 M. Under Leahy’s All-State Minimum Formula
News Release - Leahy’s ‘All-State-Minimum’ Formula Means Vermont’s First Responders Will Get $11 M. In Added Help Under Bill Signed Wednesday By President Bush April 16, 2003
Statement - Of Senator Patrick Leahy Appropriations Committee Hearing On FY03 Supplemental Appropriations For The War In Iraq And For Other Purposes March 27, 2003

Senator Leahy announces his First Responders Partnership Grant Act during a news conference at South Burlington Fire Department.

News Release - Senate Narrowly Defeats Leahy Amendment To Boost First Responder Funds March 25, 2003

News Release - Senator Patrick Leahy Asks Secretary Ridge For $5 Billion In Supplemental Appropriations For First Responders March 20, 2003

Press Release - Leahy Says $5 Million For Vermont Emergency Response Agencies Will Help, But More Is Needed March 12, 2003

News Release - Senator Patrick Leahy Presses Ashcroft And Ridge In Homeland Security Hearing For More Help For First Responders March 4, 2003

Analysis - Of Newly Signed Budget Bill Shows First-Responder Grant Funds Fall Far Short Of White House Pledge February 21, 2003

Fact Sheet - Prepared By The Office Of Senator Patrick Leahy On First Responders Funding In Fiscal Year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Bill February 14, 2003

Fact Sheet and Statement - On The First Responders Partnership Grant Act February 5, 2003

Fact Sheet and Statement - On The First Responders Partnership Grant Act January 31, 2003