For Immediate Release
June 24, 2009

Contact: Michael Eagle
(202) 225-7924

Congresswoman Richardson Hails Passage of the Homeland Security Appropriations Act

-Bill includes crucial funding for port security-

WASHINGTON — After hosting Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in California’s 37th Congressional District just two months ago, Congresswoman Richardson hailed passage of the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2009 (H.R.6947), legislation that will invest in our national security priorities including protecting our borders, supporting our first responders, securing our ports and airports and preparing for natural disasters.

One of the important parts of this bill is the provision that will provide almost $10 billion to the United States Coast Guard to improve our port security and marine safety.  The bill also adds an additional $250 million for port security, on top of the $150 million that the Economic Recovery Act provided to ports throughout the U.S.

“As a member of the Homeland Security Committee and a representative of a district that first hand moves 45% of this country’s goods through the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, I understand that it is critically important to secure the safety of our ports like the one in Long Beach,” Congresswoman Richardson said.  “A terrorist attack or an unintended accident at the Port of Long Beach or Los Angeles would have devastating effects on our economy, as evident by the $1 billion a day that was lost several years ago when negotiations stalled and both ports were brought to a screeching halt.  Today’s faltering economy cannot support a repeat closure due to disaster or attack.”

Specific important elements of the bill include:

• Securing our airports—the legislation helps to improve security at our nation’s airports with funding for advanced cargo and passenger screening.
• Protecting against cyber threats—the legislation devotes $382 million to protect against growing threats to our nation’s cyber assets.
• Supporting our first responders—this legislation provides our first responders with the training, equipment and personnel they need to keep our communities safe, including $40 million for emergency operations centers, $800 million for local fire departments and $887 million to protect high-risk urban areas from terrorist attacks.
• Protecting the border—the legislation will boost our efforts to combat crime along our borders by increasing funding for customs and border protection.  It also supports programs to combat drugs and weapons smuggling, and identify and deport dangerous criminal aliens.

Congresswoman Richardson is a Democrat from California’s 37th Congressional District.  She is a member of the House Committees on Transportation & Infrastructure and Homeland Security.  Her district includes Long Beach, Compton, Carson, Watts, Willowbrooke and Signal Hill.

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