Bush pushes homeland security President seeks $3.5 billion for first responders in $38 billion proposal

WASHINGTON – President Bush asked Congress for $38 billion to strengthen America’s defenses against terrorism Thursday, a doubling of spending for intelligence, border security and other measures to thwart enemies who “still want to come after us.”

“We’re still under attack,” Bush said. “These are evil people.”

Addressing the nation’s mayors in the East Room of the White House, Bush said he wants Congress to give localities $3.5 billion of the new money to help police, firefighters and health care officials respond to any terrorist strikes.

“The president understands what comes first in homeland security: our first responders,” Tom Ridge, director of homeland security, told the mayors. “They died for their country on Sept. 11; they risked their lives every day before and since. They deserve and will get the support of this administration.”

Although Bush said he was doubling spending, his projections were open to debate because they were based on the White House definition of homeland defense funding in dozens of agency budgets. The calculations were designed to yield the highest-possible projected increase.

Democratic and Republican mayors said any new money would be welcome.

“I don’t think anybody can fault or criticize this giant leap in terms of funding,” said Marc Morial, Democratic mayor of New Orleans.

However, Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., said the money won’t be spent wisely unless Ridge’s office gains focus.

“The administration has pursued a clear and committed war strategy against the Taliban regime and al-Qaida. But our homeland security strategy, which may affect millions more Americans, has been ad hoc, inconsistent and confusing,” she said in a telephone interview.

If approved by Congress, Bush’s proposal would give 36,000 local jurisdictions wide latitude to spend their share of the $3.5 billion on planning, equipment and training for future attacks. The federal government currently spends a tiny fraction of that amount on such programs.

“We find ourselves in a moment of history where we, as leaders, must respond,” the president said. “And we will respond.”

The program will be administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the money roughly distributed based on population size. In future attacks, cities and states might be able to use the money to pay overtime expenses – a major expense.

The rest of the $37.7 billion will go to securing America’s borders, combating bioterrorism, strengthening intelligence sharing, improving transportation security and supporting other national defense initiatives.

“President Bush has laid out a plan that will address many of the challenges I heard from town, county and state officials throughout Maine this month – using the successful FEMA model to coordinate federal funding to support these crucial activities,” said U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe of Maine.

“Officials in Maine made clear they believe improved coordination is an essential component in order to most efficiently target resources where they’ll do the most good: first responders, training and equipment.”

Bush travels to Maine on Friday to put a price tag on his border initiatives.

On Wednesday, he announced his request for a $48 billion increase in defense spending. That figure includes several million dollars in homeland security measures that also were part of the $37.7 billion package he announced Thursday.

The announcements were part of a broader White House strategy to spotlight proposed budget increases and avoid political fallout over cuts.