SIA disappointed by plans to cut funding for ports and transit security

Subcommittee vote to cut ports, transit security funding could leave crucial security projects unfunded

The Security Industry Association (SIA) released the following statement in response to the House Appropriations Committee's Homeland Security Subcommittee's approval Monday night of legislation that would fund the Port Security Grant Program and the Transit Security Grant Program at $250 million each in fiscal year 2010, well below both the authorised amounts and the amounts appropriated in FY09:

"We are very disappointed by the subcommittee's action," SIA Director of Government Relations Don Erickson said. "Many ports and transit systems remain far too vulnerable to criminal activity and terrorist attack, which is why we're baffled by the cuts in funding. Federal grants are a crucial source of revenue for facilities looking to enhance their physical security, and if the appropriations bill passes as written, a lot of projects intended to protect the lives and property of millions of Americans will be left unfunded."

The full Appropriations Committee is expected to mark up the bill on Friday. SIA is working to have it revised to provide full funding for the ports and transit security grant programs and to ensure that grants are provided without local match requirements.