The Obama Administration looks to cut federal funds to prevent terror attacks in New York City in half. That’s not the right move according to Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. She shared her disagreement and disappointment in the proposal from the White House in a recent interview with the New York Daily News.
In his 2017 proposed Federal budget, President Obama is calling for a reduction in spending to the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) from $600 million to $330 million. The UASI provides federal dollars to support local law enforcement in major American cities, like NYC, that represent high value targets to terrorists. Clinton was adamant that the previously committed dollars are still needed in New York.
“We need it, we need it! I want it!” Clinton said during a recent conversation with reporters and editors from The News, referring to federal homeland security funding for New York. “I don’t agree with the Obama administration on that.”
Her stance not only put Clinton in direct opposition with Obama on this issue, but aligns her with NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton. Both men had previously made public statements calling on Washington to restore full funding for UASI.
In the past, UASI funds have been used for law enforcement training, bomb sniffing dogs, and cameras, as well as chemical and radiological sensors. Clinton agreed with de Blasio and Bratton that the reduction in federal aid would put NYC at greater risk.
When the proposed funding cuts were first announced in February, de Blasio was quick to make his opposition known.
“It is no secret that New York City is one of the world’s top terror targets. . . . As a city and as a nation, we cannot afford to lose this essential funding.”
Whether or not this key policy difference will be an issue outside of the state of New York or not is yet to be seen. Either way, it’s a hot topic on the minds of New Yorkers, and they’ll be headed to the primary polls next Tuesday.
Featured Image: Spencer Platt/Getty Images.
