B
Bruzilla
Guest
This is from our friends at the DNC:
President Bush Withholds $5.1 Billion in Crucial Homeland Security Funds
Choosing political expediency over America's homeland security, President Bush is withholding funds authorized by Congress for a number of important priorities. The groups that won't be getting needed funds include firefighters, the Coast Guard, the FBI, the Transportation Security Agency, and others on the front lines protecting our homeland.
Despite Bush's claims that his refusal to spend the funds demonstrates fiscal restraint, the move was nothing more than a political ploy. The $5.1 billion is less than 0.4 percent the size of the tax cut Bush passed last year, which is the primary reason America is facing years of deficits -- after enjoying years of surpluses.
But despite the small impact the $5.1 billion would have on America's economic woes, the funds are vitally important to those who were supposed to receive them. Those groups included:
Firefighters and workers at Ground Zero. The spending bill included $340 million for equipment and training for firefighters and a study to determine the health effects on those who worked at New York City's Ground Zero. The money included funds for communications equipment that could have saved lives on September 11. (Firefighters have decided to boycott a tribute to those who died on September 11 to protest Bush's decision.)
Veterans. Bush rejected $275 million in health benefits for those who served their country in the military.
Transportation Security Administration. The TSA was supposed to receive $480 million to keep our airlines, railroads, and other possible terrorist targets safe.
Coast Guard. Bush held back $262 million in funds for the Coast Guard, despite heightened dangers to our coasts.
Defense Emergency Response Fund. More than $600 million for emergency response for America's military was thrown out.
Foreign aid. More than $600 million for foreign aid, including money to fight AIDS overseas, won't reach its destination.
The important priorities listed above account for just $2.5 billion of the $5.1 billion in the bill. But Bush said that only $1 billion of the bill was worth the money. What would he have cut from the list above, along with other priorities like the Center for Disease Control, a public health emergency fund, and disaster assistance, in order to reach that $1 billion? [Reuters, 8/14/02; New York Times, 8/14/02; FY2002 Supplemental Appropriations: Contingent Emergencies]
Ok.... did anyone else notice that nowhere in this article do the Dems seem the least bit concerned that some folks in government (on both sides of the isle) are trying to sneak over 2.6 BILLION DOLLARS out of the till under the guise of Crucial Homeland Security spending? More than half of the money that's being spent is going to bogus crap like CONUS military construction that should be covered in the regular appropriations bills.
Also notice that the Dems love to play the heartstrings by mentioning veterans, firefighters, Coasties, and trying to make us feel like we won't be safe if that 2.5 billion isn't spent. What the heck does Veteran's health programs and AIDS prevention have to do with Crucial Homeland Security? Answer: Not a damn thing! These are important issues that should be addressed in the normal budget process not in an emergency spending bill.
This bill was obviously turned into a cash cow for every pet project that Congress had, and Bush was 100% right to do what he did. An emergency situation should not give Congress the green light to circumvent the nation's budget process. And notice how the DNC sees no problem with blowing at least 2.6 billion dollars on pork but adamently objects to giving any money back to taxpayers in tax cuts.
Lastly, notice the little piece of propoganda about how the firefighters had decided to boycott the 9/11 tribute? Most credible reporting agencies only said that they were considering it, and the firefighter's union said that a boycott had never even been seriously considered, yet the DNC says that not only was it considered but approved. More lies.
President Bush Withholds $5.1 Billion in Crucial Homeland Security Funds
Choosing political expediency over America's homeland security, President Bush is withholding funds authorized by Congress for a number of important priorities. The groups that won't be getting needed funds include firefighters, the Coast Guard, the FBI, the Transportation Security Agency, and others on the front lines protecting our homeland.
Despite Bush's claims that his refusal to spend the funds demonstrates fiscal restraint, the move was nothing more than a political ploy. The $5.1 billion is less than 0.4 percent the size of the tax cut Bush passed last year, which is the primary reason America is facing years of deficits -- after enjoying years of surpluses.
But despite the small impact the $5.1 billion would have on America's economic woes, the funds are vitally important to those who were supposed to receive them. Those groups included:
Firefighters and workers at Ground Zero. The spending bill included $340 million for equipment and training for firefighters and a study to determine the health effects on those who worked at New York City's Ground Zero. The money included funds for communications equipment that could have saved lives on September 11. (Firefighters have decided to boycott a tribute to those who died on September 11 to protest Bush's decision.)
Veterans. Bush rejected $275 million in health benefits for those who served their country in the military.
Transportation Security Administration. The TSA was supposed to receive $480 million to keep our airlines, railroads, and other possible terrorist targets safe.
Coast Guard. Bush held back $262 million in funds for the Coast Guard, despite heightened dangers to our coasts.
Defense Emergency Response Fund. More than $600 million for emergency response for America's military was thrown out.
Foreign aid. More than $600 million for foreign aid, including money to fight AIDS overseas, won't reach its destination.
The important priorities listed above account for just $2.5 billion of the $5.1 billion in the bill. But Bush said that only $1 billion of the bill was worth the money. What would he have cut from the list above, along with other priorities like the Center for Disease Control, a public health emergency fund, and disaster assistance, in order to reach that $1 billion? [Reuters, 8/14/02; New York Times, 8/14/02; FY2002 Supplemental Appropriations: Contingent Emergencies]
Ok.... did anyone else notice that nowhere in this article do the Dems seem the least bit concerned that some folks in government (on both sides of the isle) are trying to sneak over 2.6 BILLION DOLLARS out of the till under the guise of Crucial Homeland Security spending? More than half of the money that's being spent is going to bogus crap like CONUS military construction that should be covered in the regular appropriations bills.
Also notice that the Dems love to play the heartstrings by mentioning veterans, firefighters, Coasties, and trying to make us feel like we won't be safe if that 2.5 billion isn't spent. What the heck does Veteran's health programs and AIDS prevention have to do with Crucial Homeland Security? Answer: Not a damn thing! These are important issues that should be addressed in the normal budget process not in an emergency spending bill.
This bill was obviously turned into a cash cow for every pet project that Congress had, and Bush was 100% right to do what he did. An emergency situation should not give Congress the green light to circumvent the nation's budget process. And notice how the DNC sees no problem with blowing at least 2.6 billion dollars on pork but adamently objects to giving any money back to taxpayers in tax cuts.
Lastly, notice the little piece of propoganda about how the firefighters had decided to boycott the 9/11 tribute? Most credible reporting agencies only said that they were considering it, and the firefighter's union said that a boycott had never even been seriously considered, yet the DNC says that not only was it considered but approved. More lies.
