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| For Immediate Release October 15, 2009 |
Contact: Kerry McKenney/Nkechi Mbanu (202) 225-3436 |
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| Payne Votes To Keep America Safe, Secure Borders | |||
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Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Donald M. Payne voted to invest in top priority homeland security programs that will keep Americans safe. The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (HR 2892) emphasizes programs that secure our borders, ports and airports, and help train local first responders and emergency personnel. To maintain fiscal responsibility, the bill eliminates 12 programs and cuts funding for another 37 programs. The bill passed with an overwhelming majority of 307 - 114. "The security of this nation is priority number one," said Payne. "This legislation provides critical funding to secure our borders, train our local first responders and safeguard the American people." The legislation will provide our first responders with the equipment and training they need to keep our communities safe. It also includes over $3 billion in grants for local municipalities to protect critical infrastructure in high-threat areas, help local fire departments and upgrade central command facilities. "Our local firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel are our first line of defense in an emergency," said Payne. "They must have the best training and equipment to keep our communities safe." The bill also boosts our efforts to increase the security along our borders. It includes additional investments to combat the violence, drug smuggling and weapons smuggling currently occurring on our Southwestern Border. In addition, the bill invests in improving aviation, port and transit security. Among the many important programs, these funds will be used to purchase and install the latest explosive detection systems at airports nationwide and to develop and deploy systems to screen cargo containers for weapons and nuclear materials. "This legislation protects Americans and prepares our nation for 21st century security challenges," said Payne. "It allows us to better prevent threats and attacks, prepare and plan for emergencies and invest in our response capacities to safeguard our citizens." ### |
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Washington, DC Office 2310 Rayburn House Office Building · Washington, District of Columbia 20515 Phone: (202)-225-3436 Fax: (202)-225-4160 |
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| District Offices | ||
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50 Walnut Street,
Suite 1016 Newark, New Jersey 07102 Phone: (973)-645-3213 · Fax: (973)-645-5902 |
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