Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act. It is a testament to the importance and balanced approach of this bill that it is co-sponsored by every Democratic and Republican member of the Homeland Security Committee.

The 9/11 Commission and countless others have urged a more risk-based approach to homeland security funding. Unfortunately, we have been too slow to adopt this recommendation because, while we may agree on a risk-based method in theory, every member wants his or her district to receive the most possible federal assistance.

This bill takes the right approach and represents a long-overdue move towards a more effective allocation of scarce resources. H.R. 1544 guarantees a minimum funding level for each state, because all states must attain a benchmark level of preparedness and response capabilities. But beyond this minimum, the bill would disburse funds based on a risk and threat assessment to ensure they are spent where they are most needed and will do the most good.

I am also pleased that this measure provides for a Task Force on Terrorism Preparedness to assist in updating the DHS list of essential capabilities for first responders. We must be able to measure the progress our states are making towards an adequate level of preparedness, and it is equally important that this baseline be achieved in every community throughout the country, so that American families can feel secure no matter where they live.

I would like to note that for risk-based funding to work, DHS must have a comprehensive threat and vulnerability assessment on which to rely. I would urge DHS, in the strongest possible terms, to ensure that this critical piece of the puzzle is a top priority and is completed as soon as possible.

With that, Mr. Speaker, let me encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.