Senate Appropriations Committee Passes DHS Funding Bill

FAMA/FEMSA GAC E-NEWS ALERT

The Senate Appropriations Committee has reported out its Fiscal Year 2012 Department of Homeland Security funding bill, which provides $375 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program and $375 million for the SAFER (hiring) program. 

The Senate committee?s funding levels for AFG and SAFER represent a $40 million increase for each program over the $335 million House-passed levels, or an $80 million increase when the programs are combined.  However, the Senate Appropriations Committee?s numbers still represent a 7% cut over current level funding of $405 million for each program.

The Senate bill now moves to the Senate floor for debate and passage, followed by negotiations between the House and the Senate to iron out differences in their two DHS appropriations bills.

Please continue to contact your Senate offices in support of the AFG and SAFER programs, expressing your gratitude for the higher Senate appropriations number and still encouraging the Senate to consider current level funding at $405 million.

Thanks to all FAMA and FEMSA members who have already contacted your congressional offices in support of AFG and SAFER during this very tough budgetary year.  If you have any questions, please contact GAC Co-chairs John Granby jgranby@lionprotects.com Lee Morris lmorris@oshkoshcorp.com or GAC Sr. Advisor Dave Gatton dgatton@dinitiatives.com