By Seth Fiur, USCM Intern
February 3, 2003

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA) called for an increase in Federal Homeland Security funding to help cities get reimbursed for more than $2.6 billion dollars in first responder and security costs since 9/11.

Pelosi spoke at the January 23rd plenary session as she addressed other pressing domestic priorities which the House Democratic minority will press in the current session of Congress convened in January.

A member of Congress since 1987, Pelosi grew up in Baltimore and has an unusual insight into the role of mayor, and urban policy. Her father, Thomas J. D-Alesandro Jr. was a House member during the New Deal and then mayor of Baltimore for twelve years. She also had a brother who was a mayor of Baltimore.

Pelosi commended Conference President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown for their combined efforts in putting affordable housing on top of the Conference of Mayors agenda. Mayor Brown chairs the Conference's Community Development and Housing standing committee.

Pelosi said that mayors attending the Winter Meeting to stress the urgency for both Homeland and Economic security were "the Cavalry arriving in town to make the case for all Americans" on domestic priorities. As House Minority Leader, Pelosi added that her office will have an "open line" for mayors to voice their opinions and ideas, and that they had a friend in the Congressional leadership.

Pelosi spent the major portion of her address in talking about current economic issues, and the urgency in taking bold measures to stimulate the sluggish economy.

"We will pay any price to defend our country, but we also need to look at health, education and well-being as a measure of America's priorities," she said, adding that an increase of Federal funds was needed not just for Homeland Security, but also for other issues. She mentioned increased monies for affordable housing, and overall domestic program increases for local economies as ways to stimulate the national economy.

In closing, Pelosi urged mayors to speak out on national issues, telling those assembled that: "Know your power. You CAN make a great difference."