Mayor de Blasio Testifies Against Federal Cuts to Counter-Terrorism Efforts

In a Homeland Security committee, Mayor Bill de Blasio came out against federal cuts to the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), a federal grant program for cities especially vulnerable to terrorist threats. 

Last year, New York City spent $180 million of approximately $600 million available to the state. According to the Mayor, the funding went to hiring more than 500 new counter-terrorist officers, active shooter training to the NYPD, and other programs. However, the White House's proposed cuts will slash New York City's access to those funds by half. 

"At a time when we are seeing more severe and more complex terror threats, we cannot reduce our commitment to public safety. We simply can't afford to stand back when these threats are becoming greater and more challenging," said Mayor de Blasio. 

In an earlier letter to Congressional leaders decrying the proposed cuts to UASI, de Blasio and 17 other mayors of major cities called out the administration. A White House spokesman cited the ample amount of resources available to the state of New York. 

Mayor de Blasio acknowledged the $300 million unspent in the UASI account, but argues the money has been "obligated" to counter-terrorist programs. 

"There's a phrase we use in New York City to describe this kind of situation: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' So far we have succeeded in preventing terror on a consistent basis," said Mayor de Blasio, "But as we saw in Paris and in San Bernadino, the challenges are greater. That's why we need ever more of a commitment to technology and a more refined approach. If the bottom drops out of that and if the leg is taken out of the stool and we are no longer able to invest and improve our approach, sadly, we'll be creating vulnerability."