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Jul 7, 2007 3:05 pm US/Eastern
Schumer, King Say NYC Security Is Underfunded
NEW YORK (CBS/AP) ―
Although the numbers are not official yet, members of New York's Congressional delegation complained Saturday that New York City has again been stiffed in the distribution of federal anti-terrorism funding.
"Why do they persist in giving money to places that need it a lot less than New York City?" asked U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer. "It's a disgrace. It's confounding. ... It's once again unfair to New York. Our needs are different than any other city."
Schumer was joined by U.S. Rep. Peter King, the ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, in blasting this year's allocation of funds from an urban security grant program.
Both said the city was scheduled to receive about $134 million in funding this year -- an increase of about 8 percent over last year, but still $73 million less than the city received two years ago.
Last year, New Yorkers complained long and loud after the Department of Homeland Security slashed anti-terrorism funding for the city by $83 million. The nation's largest city lost 40 percent of its funding just five years after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks, while federal money was increased in Louisville, Ky., and Omaha, Neb.
"They still just don't get it," said King. "New York is by far the No. 1 terrorist target in the country, and no one else is even a close second. That's the reality. I'm disappointed and angry."
Schumer said word of the $10 million increase over last year was particularly painful since it came in close proximity to the recent terrorist incidents in London and Glasgow, which forced city officials to heighten security in the five boroughs.
Russ Knocke, spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, declined comment and said it was unclear when an official announcement of the anti-terrorism grants would occur.
Both Schumer and King expressed their hopes -- and their doubts -- that the funding might be increased before the announcement was made.
"I doubt it, but hope springs eternal," said King. "We need to keep the pressure on."
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
