[Pages H2169-H2170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PRESIDENT'S HOMELAND SECURITY BUDGET

  (Mr. WALZ of Minnesota asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, in his second State of the

[[Page H2170]]

Union Address, President Bush stood in this very Chamber and told the 
Nation that the government would take unprecedented measures to protect 
our people and defend our homeland. As I stand here, almost 5 years 
after the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the 
President has delivered a budget that will not keep that promise.
  The President's proposed budget once again provides inadequate 
appropriations for Homeland Security. President Bush proposes slashing 
grants to our first responders. This will include massive cuts to both 
our firefighter grants and our State homeland security grants. It 
includes cuts to law enforcement and cuts to the Justice Department, 
and all of this while trying to fund tax cuts for the wealthiest among 
us.
  Madam Speaker, this Democratic Congress remains focused on protecting 
this Nation from the real threat of global terrorism. Democrats are 
fighting for America's future. We will secure not only our homeland but 
our families, our jobs and our children's future.

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