Chet Edwards For Congress

May 10, 2005
Edwards Stops $12.5 Million Cut in Homeland Security Funding for A&M Program

(WASHINGTON, DC) – U.S. Representative Chet Edwards, a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced that $20 million has been approved by the full House Appropriations Committee today for 2006 homeland security training and projects at the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC) at Texas A&M University. The approved funding reverses a $12.5 million proposed cut under the Administration’s 2006 homeland security budget for NERRTC that would have resulted in only a $7.5 million allocation, or 60% cut, next year.

“Texas A&M is a national leader on homeland security research and training and this important funding is crucial for the safety of our citizens,” said Edwards. “I am pleased that our request for the Subcommittee to reject drastic cuts was approved, and I will work on a bipartisan basis to support the $20 million funding throughout the legislative process. There should be no greater priority of the federal government than to protect Americans here at home from the threat of terrorism.”

Police, firefighters, and EMS personnel come from across the country to receive first responder training at The National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC) at Texas A&M. NERRTC is a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC) which was again facing budget cutbacks in 2006 under the Administration budget proposal.

NERRTC funding was the number one research priority of Texas A&M and the reduced level of funding would have caused a reduction in staff of 41 instructors and administrative personnel. As he did last year, Edwards worked with the Texas delegation in Congress, coordinating a bipartisan support letter signed by 22 members of the Texas delegation to the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee chairman Harold Rogers (KY-05) recommending increased funding.

“I am proud to work with members of the Texas delegation on a bipartisan effort to ensure funds are made available for important homeland security projects at Texas A&M and around the country,” said Edwards, a member of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. “The global war on terror demands that we act responsibly as a Congress to protect programs every year that protect Americans here at home.”

Texas A&M officials were grateful for the increased funding and thanked Edwards for his efforts.

"Congressman Edwards, working with other members of the Texas delegation, has achieved another significant milestone in homeland security," said Dr. G. Kemble Bennett, Vice Chancellor & Dean of Engineering at Texas A&M University and Executive Director, NERRTC. "This funding will enable NERRTC to continue its important mission of preparing communities to protect themselves from the evils of terrorism. The citizens of Texas and indeed, the entire United States, are better equipped and prepared because of the hard work of Congressman Edwards and the Texas delegation," said Bennett.

The NDPC is a partnership, created in 1998, made up of Texas A&M University, Louisiana State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and the Departments of Homeland Security and Energy.

The NDPC was created to provide a focused, threat responsive, long term national capability for our emergency first responders. Edwards, as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee has played a key role in Congress overseeing key homeland defense programs to protect America against acts of terrorism.

Chet Edwards is one of only six Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serving on both the Budget and Appropriations Committees. He is a 1974 graduate of Texas A&M where he earned a degree in Economics.