Lieberman proposes more Homeland Security funding

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs ranking member Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., Tuesday proposed a $8.4 billion increase above President Bush's fiscal 2006 budget for the Homeland Security Department.

In a letter to Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg, R-M.H., and ranking member Kent Conrad, D-N.D., Lieberman suggested $4.2 billion for emergency responders. The president requested $3.6 billion.

Last year, Congress gave state and local communities $4 billion in "first responder" grants. Lieberman proposed $1.1 billion for transit, port, rail and general critical infrastructure grants. Bush proposed $600 million.

Lieberman also proposed increasing funding for other anti-terror activities, including $1 billion to help the public health community prepare and respond to a bio-terror attack; $900 million to more quickly modernize the Coast Guard's helicopter and cutter fleet; $800 million to improve explosive detection equipment, cargo security and access security and $360 million for border security initiatives.

Lieberman argued certain increases were to fund provisions included in the recently enacted intelligence legislation Bush did not fund in his budget.