Bush Administration cut $150 million for first responders. The Bush Administration cut Homeland Security spending by $150 million for 2004. This budget does not provide enough money to give emergency responders adequate training and resources – even though they are on the front lines. The Bush Administration rejected a $200 million proposal to adequately support first responders – at the same time asking for $290 million in spending for first responders in Iraq.
“Senate Digs into Iraq $87 Billion,” Christian Science Monitor, September 29, 2003; “The War Against Terrorism: Working Together to Protect America,” U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, March 4, 2003GOP rejects funding for 1,803 additional Arizona first responders. Congressional Republicans rejected a proposal to hire 100,000 additional first responders nationwide, including nearly 1,803 in Arizona. At the same time the Bush Administration supported $290 million in spending for first responders for Iraq.
“Senate Digs into Iraq $87 billion,” Christian Science Monitor, September 29, 2003; “Republicans Reject Extending Unemployment Benefits, Hiring 100,000 Police, Fire and Security Personnel,” U.S. Rep. George Miller Press Release, March 27, 2003Bush calls for $1 billion in cuts for Homeland Security in secret budget planning document. In May 2004, a secret budget planning memo became public. In the document, Bush called for $1 billion in Homeland Security funding. These cuts could pay the salaries of more than 23,700 police officers or more than 28,000 firefighters.
Source: http://www.salary.com ; Washington Post, 5/27/04Bush 2005 budget cuts 15% from Department of Homeland Security grants for federal assistance to local law enforcement, including first responders – COPS funds are sliced by 80%. “The budget also includes $3.6 billion for state and local agencies, including local police and firefighters, which is more than $800 million less than the 2004 budgeted amount.”
Washington Post, 2/2/04 & 2/3/04; Associated Press, 2/2/04Bush 2005 budget cuts nearly $1 billion in Homeland Security grants for local law enforcement. “Total homeland security grants sought for state and local agencies are down $975 million in the proposed budget from last year’s figure to $1.4 billion. Requested funding for state and local training, exercises and technical assistance is down $142 million -- from $320 million in FY 2004 to $178 million.” source:
UPI, 2/2/04Bush cut $5 million in Rural Firefighter Training Grants. source
UPI, 2/4/04Bush cut $250 million in FIRE Act programs, - a 33 percent reduction. The FIRE program sends money directly to local fire departments to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel. source:
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