Senator Barack Obama Statement on Bush Plan to Cut Counterterrorism, First Responder Budget

January 21, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement on reports that the Bush Administration intends to drastically reduce funding for state and local counterterrorism and first responder efforts in the President's Fiscal Year 2009 budget despite repeated requests by the Department of Homeland Security and Congress for increased funding.

"In the wake of 9/11 and with the threats we face everyday, it's unacceptable that this Administration would cut funding for the first responders that we need to protect us from terror attacks and natural disasters here at home. After the debacle of the response to Hurricane Katrina, the Administration should be ashamed of proposing these cuts.

"As a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure our government is best prepared to protect our homeland."

Source: Senator Barack Obama