(Courtesy of Lowey.house.gov and combined sources) Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY17/Rockland-Westchester), chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee and the Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, this week approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Homeland Security funding bill. Through this bill, 25 organizations in the 17th Congressional District, including Jewish schools, synagogues and community centers in Rockland and Westchester counties, will receive $2,565,028 in federal funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) and State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP). These programs provide critical assistance to states and localities to prepare and respond to terrorist attacks. Both UASI and SHSGP support physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack through their respective Nonprofit Security Grant Programs (NSGP-U and NSGP-S).
“Since I was first appointed to the Select Committee on Homeland Security following the attacks on September 11, and as a long-time member of the House Appropriations Committee, which I now chair, I have prioritized delivering the security assistance we need to protect New Yorkers,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “While I wish these initiatives were not necessary, I am proud to have secured record levels of funding for vital security measures to keep us safe and secure in the Lower Hudson Valley. White supremacy is an alarming and deadly threat to us all, and with the recent anti-Semitic attack in Monsey and hate crimes on the rise across the country, this funding is critical to protect nonprofits and local residents.”
She added, “In response to the rise in anti-Semitic incidents and violent hate crimes, our draft bill quadruples funds for nonprofits and religious institutions to help prevent and protect against terrorism and targeted, violent extremism. The record funding for nonprofit security grants in both UASI and non-UASI regions would enable the Westchester, Rockland and the broader New York nonprofit community to protect themselves with increased security measures and greater peace of mind so that they can gather safely. It brings me great pride to know that a program I created is helping to keep children and families safe and secure across the Lower Hudson Valley. As the appropriations process continues, I will keep fighting to bring home increased funding for New York.”
The bill is expected to be considered by the full Appropriations Committee in the coming days.
