House Floor Amendment on AFG and SAFER Passes

On Wednesday, June 1, 2011, the House began floor debate of HR. 2017, the FY 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations bill.   

By a vote of 333-87, the House passed an amendment to increase funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and SAFER programs by a total of $320 million over the full Appropriation committee's bill.   The amendment will fund AFG and SAFER at $335 million each.  The Committee's bill would have funded AFG at $200 million and SAFER at $150 million.   

The bi-partisan amendment was co-sponsored by Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) and Bill Pascrell Jr., (D-NJ) and was funded by offsets from DHS management and operations accounts. 

While the amendment represents a major victory for the Fire and Rescue coalition, the fact remains that with these numbers, each program would see a $70 million cut over its FY 2011 funding level of $405 million. 

Final vote on the overall bill is expected today.

The FAMA/FEMSA GAC will continue to keep you informed of further legislative developments.  If you have any questions, please contact GAC Co-chairs John Granby jgranby@lionprotects.com Lee Morris lmorris@oshkoshcorp.com or GAC Senior Advisor Dave Gatton dgatton@dinitiatives.com