Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on the potentially devastating effects a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security could have on the ability of New York City to secure grants for national security and emergency preparedness.

In 2014, New York State received $76,742,000 from the State Homeland Security Grant Program, New York City received $178,926,000 from the Urban Area Security Initiative, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority received $18,101,304 to protect our roads, bridges, and subways. Most of the grants for Fiscal Year 2015 have not yet been awarded because Republicans in Congress – upset with President Obama’s decision to expand the deferred action program to the relatives of citizens and legal permanent residents – refuse to allow a vote to fund the agency. 

“Fewer than two days remain until a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Our national security has been held hostage by the refusal of many Republicans in Congress to recognize President Obama’s authority as chief executive of the United States to create a program that will allow millions of Americans – the mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers of American citizens and legal permanent residents – to avoid the threat of deportation. We cannot as a society afford to compromise our security – not for a week, a day, or even an hour. The people of New York City know from their personal experience the deadly consequences of terrorism, and we know that we must remain vigilant to prevent any attack on our nation. The agencies responsible for protecting us have been denied access to the resources necessary to fulfill their mission. I urge my colleagues to fund the Department of Homeland Security for the entire fiscal year, to avoid uncertainty and prevent a shutdown. We cannot allow the functions of our national security and law enforcement agencies to become compromised at this critical moment in our history,” said Congresswoman Clarke, who as a member of the Committee on Homeland Security worked with both Democrats and Republicans to secure resources to protect the people of New York City from the threat of terrorism.

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.