Senator Leahy Asks Secretary Ridge
For $5 Billion In Supplemental Appropriations
For First Responders
March 20, 3003

[Also, in the executive meeting (voting session) of the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 20, Ranking Member Leahy asked Chairman Hatch to schedule markup on the Daschle and the Leahy first-responder grant program bills.  Senator Hatch responded that he instead intends to move soon to markup on legislation to restrict class action lawsuits.]

(Text of letter follows)

March 20, 2003

The Honorable Tom Ridge
Secretary
United States Department of Homeland Security
Nebraska Avenue Complex
Washington, D.C.  20393

Dear Secretary Ridge:

I write to follow up on our discussion, during your recent appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee, on the subject of adequate resources for the nation’s first responder agencies.  I ask that you join me and the others in Congress – and the growing groundswell of state and community leaders –– who are calling for a far more robust federal partnership with first responders in meeting the new and the heightened responsibilities they are shouldering for the nation’s homeland security. 

I renew my request – which I made to you earlier this month at the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing, “The War Against Terrorism: Working Together to Protect America” – for the Administration to include in the upcoming emergency supplemental request for Fiscal Year 2003 at least $5 billion in new funds to directly assist state and local first responders in their homeland security duties.

When terrorists strike, first responders are and will always be the first to whom we turn.  Since the United States suffered the terrorist attacks of September 11^th, we have asked our police, fire and medical service agencies to defend us as never before on the front lines in the war against domestic terrorism.  They have answered that call as vital partners with federal agencies in defending against terrorism.  But without adequate federal support, this partnership has morphed into new unfunded mandates on our states and communities.

Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security raised the national threat level from an Elevated to a High risk of terrorist attack, or Level Orange.  That decision was based on numerous reports from top intelligence officials about the likelihood that terrorists will attempt multiple attacks against the United States and our allies in the event of a military campaign in Iraq.  The Central Intelligence Agency has warned that there is a high probability that the attacks will involve the use of chemical, biological or radiological weapons, intended to result in mass casualties and maximum economic, psychological and symbolic impact.

To supplement Orange Alert, you also launched “Operation Liberty Shield,” a measure to increase security at our borders, strengthen transportation sector protections, enhance security at our critical infrastructure, increase public health preparedness and ensure all federal response assets can be deployed quickly.  The nation’s governors have deployed the National Guard, additional police forces and other emergency first responder units to improve security at critical locations throughout their states.

With the heightened duties and vigilance demanded of them, our nation’s first responders continue – as they have since September 11^th – to be our first line of defense against domestic terrorism.  I have no doubt that those demands will intensify now that war with Iraq has begun and threats to our national security increase.

Therefore, I respectfully request that President Bush include in his upcoming supplemental budget request at least $5 billion to support our nation’s police officers, firefighters and emergency personnel. 

Sincerely,

PATRICK LEAHY
U.S. Senator