“I am disappointed that state officials will be forced to become more creative with our state’s homeland security efforts due to decreased funding levels for this fiscal year,” said Langevin, a member of the Homeland Security Committee. “Despite Rhode Island’s cut in funding, I am confident that our Emergency Management Agency will remain dedicated to keeping us all safe in the face of natural disaster or terrorist attack.”

The state’s homeland security funding is allocated through the following two programs:

Rhode Island did not qualify for any Urban Areas Security Initiative funding, which provides assistance to high-threat, high-density urban areas. Six months ago, the Department of Homeland Security also awarded Rhode Island $232,330 from the Metropolitan Medical Response System Program and $185,286 from the Citizen Corps Program. Overall this FY 2006 funding represents a fifty percent cut from FY 2005.

“First responders in Rhode Island and across the country are being asked to do more with less,” Langevin continued. “As they continue putting themselves at risk each and every day, I will continue working in Congress to ensure they have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.”