By Brian Gould, USCM Public Affairs Intern
March 17, 2003

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on March 6 introduced legislation that will establish a Domestic Defense Fund to provide $7 billion in vital funding to support the growing cost of homeland security for cities. The capitol hill press conference announcement was held with Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and numerous organizations dealing with the effects of inadequate funding from the federal government to provide much needed services.

The first category of Domestic Defense Fund calls for $5 billion in direct Homeland Security Funding to communities with base level funding for first responders. These funds will finance equipment and training for first responders along with securing crucial infrastructure. "Our first responders serve on the frontlines in our war against terrorism and it's time for them to move to the front of the line when it comes to federal support for their efforts," Senator Clinton said.

The second category of the bill would provide $1 billion in an emergency Reserve Fund for cities and states during times of heightened states of alert, during a high'profile terrorist trial, or similar emergency situations.

The third category of the bill would provide $1 billion for "High Threat Areas" such as New York, Washington (DC), Los Angeles, or Baltimore. The funds will also be used in areas now considered potential terrorist targets such as ports and tunnels.

Mayor O'Malley commented in support of the legislation saying, "New York City, Baltimore, and other U.S. cities are the frontline in the war on terror and even President Bush now admits that first responders have not yet received the financial support that they need to be effectiveÉMayors have stepped up and faced their responsibility to protect their citizens, and will continue to do so in the future. But at a time of shrinking state and federal budgets, we need the financial support that the President promised us in the months following 9/11."