The President calls for a $2.5 billion increase in spending for Homeland Security, the largest percentage increase in his budget. Senator Collins, Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the new Department of Homeland Security said financial support of the department will be critical to its success.
"This is a gargantuan undertaking that cannot be hamstrung by insufficient funding. The President is right to give the Homeland Security funding priority status," said Senator Collins. The department will move forward with a sustained and cohesive strategy in key areas – improving security at the nation's borders – something of critical importance to Maine – increasing grant programs to ensure that first responders are properly trained and equipped – a priority for Senator Collins – decreasing the vulnerabilities of the nation's critical infrastructure, protecting against bio-terrorism, advancing research in science and technology aimed at detecting and countering terrorist attacks, and improving intelligence analysis and coordination.
Contained in the Department of Homeland Security's $36.2 billion budget is $6.8 billion for the Coast Guard, a 36% increase of $1.5 billion over the FY2002 level. "I continue to believe that one of our greatest vulnerabilities is our seaports. To increase safety in our seaports, the Coast Guard budget includes $65 million to deploy six new Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Teams to respond to terrorist threats or incidents in domestic ports and waterways. It also includes an additional $53 million to buy nine Coast Guard coastal patrol boats to serve as vessel escorts into U.S. ports. With the Coast Guard on the front line of securing our ports, this funding is vital to its ability to carry out this important mission."
The President is proposing a $379 billion dollar Defense Budget, that includes funding for three new ARLEIGH BURKE class (DDG-51) destroyers, two of which would be built at Bath Iron Works. "I'm extremely pleased the Administration has followed through on the commitment it gave me to increase funding for shipbuilding in this year's budget. The advanced procurement I obtained laid the groundwork for the more than $3 billion in this year's budget and the Administration has put us back on the path toward maintaining the Navy's shipbuilding base and industrial stability." Senator Collins, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Seapower Subcommittee supports the Administration's efforts to provide the nation with the best trained, best equipped, and most effective military force in the world, enabling our armed forces to continue waging a global war on terrorism and deal with any future threats.
The budget proposal also includes $1.7 billion for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP). While Senator Collins supports funding the program at $2 billion, she is pleased that the Administration asked for a $300 million increase. "The President''s request reflects a growing awareness in the Administration of the importance of this program to low income families struggling to heat their homes. I'm pleased that the President''s request is $300 million greater than his Fy2003 request, but would note that it falls $300 million short of the level that passed the Senate under the Collins-Reed amendment. It''s a good starting point, but I again intend to do what I can to bring the numbers higher."
Senator Collins applauded the inclusion of funding for early reading programs, which the Senator was instrumental in getting passed in the last Congress. The Reading First program would receive $1.05 billion, a $50 million increase. The Early Reading First program would receive $100 million, a $25 million increase. "Both of these programs are vital to ensuring that all children can read at grade level or above by the end of the third grade. Studies have proven that early reading intervention can make the difference between a child becoming a life-long reader who loves to learn, or a child who struggles and ultimately becomes discouraged and left behind. The best way to ensure that no child is left behind is to ensure that every child can read."
Senator Collins continued to voice concern over the Administration's proposed $670 billion tax cut, especially the provision to eliminate the double taxation of corporate stock dividends. "That is something that should be addressed as tax reform, and I question the positioning of it as a means to stimulate the economy," the Senator said. "I support a degree of tax relief, and would like to work with the Administration on a more targeted proposal."
The President's budget represents a blueprint for spending for the Fiscal Year 2004. Senator Collins will work with the Administration and with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fund the government in a responsible manner that best addresses the needs of Americans and spends their money wisely.
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