Victory! New York to Receive Increase in Anti-Terrorism Funding

Representatives Nita Lowey and Steve Israel announced today that an amendment has passed the House that would enable New York City to receive more anti-terrorism funding.

Under the new amendment, grant recipients of the Urban Areas Security Initiative would be limited to 25 of the highest-risk cities in the nation.

"I am pleased this amendment passed to ensure UASI grants benefit highest-risk cities and will work to ensure the Senate passes this provision and President Obama signs it into law," said Lowey.

The USAI is a program that was established after 9/11 in an effort to "prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from threats or acts of terrorism."

While it originally only covered seven high-risk regions, including New York City and Los Angeles, the program eventually grew to cover 64 cities by 2010. The amount of money allocated by the federal government remained the same as the years went by, so each city received less and less money annually.

Yet a new resolution in the House of Representatives would possibly slash USAI funding to $87 million. New York was projected to lose around $15 million.

"New York should not lose vital prevention and preparedness funding to cities facing minimal risk.," said Lowey.

The new USAI amendment would cushion that loss.

"In reducing the number of eligible cities, the legislation facilitates the common sense application of scarce resources to where the threat is greatest," said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly.