Homeland Security

Maryland's second congressional district is home to several high profile national symbols, including Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Fort Meade, BWI Airport, the Port of Baltimore and the 17th largest city in America. These critical sites, along with Maryland's proximity to the Nation's capitol, means that we have significant home front security needs.

Statewide, Maryland has over 20,000 first responders; police, fire fighters, health care workers and other emergency personnel who are our front line of hometown defense. Even with this enormous responsibility, the Federal Government has provided only token assistance for training and equipment needs. The Federal Government needs to do more to assist state and local governments to meet the nation's domestic security needs.

Dutch Ruppersberger believes the best way to provide this assistance is through Homeland Security Block Grants that go directly to state and local governments. These grants would help local law enforcement, fire and emergency professionals get the equipment and training they need for domestic security. Grants would also help local governments establish and improve notification systems and disaster response systems that would be needed in the event of terrorist attacks and other significant events.

Dutch's Homeland Security Record

Co-Sponsor of HR 1007: Homeland Security Block Grant Act of 2003

This Act provides needed funds to first responders to be used for the purpose of bolstering emergency response efforts and other emergency response initiatives in case of terrorist or other attack on our home front.

Co-Sponsor of HR 1803: State and Local Reservist First Responders Assistance Act of 2003

Allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to make a grant of financial assistance to any State or local government or Indian tribe in order to reimburse the State or local government or tribe for costs incurred by the State or local government or tribe as a result of a call or order to active duty of one or more Reserves who are first responder personnel of the State or local government or tribe if the call or order to duty is issued under the authority of a provision of law.

Co-Sponsor of HR 1803: State and Local Reservist First Responders Assistance Act of 2003

The Secretary of Homeland Security may make a grant of financial assistance to any State or local government or Indian tribe in order to reimburse the State or local government or tribe for costs incurred by the State or local government or tribe as a result of a call or order to active duty of one or more Reserves who are first responder personnel of the State or local government or tribe if the call or order to duty is issued under the authority of a provision of law.

Co-Sponsor of HR 764: First Responders Expedited Assistance Act of 2003

Makes appropriations to the Secretary of Homeland Security for grants by the Office for Domestic Preparedness of the Department of Homeland Security.

Co-Sponsor of HR 1708: Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 2003

Extends the authorization of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program.

Co-Sponsor of HR 919: Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide that a public safety officer who dies as the direct and proximate result of a heart attack or stroke suffered while on duty or within 24 hours after participating in a training exercise or responding to an emergency situation shall be presumed to have died as the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty, for purposes of survivor benefits.

Co-Sponsor of HR 466: To amend the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to adjust the percentage differentials payable to Federal law enforcement officers in certain high-cost areas, and for other purposes.

Amends the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to revise the special pay adjustments for (percentage differentials payable to) Federal law enforcement officers in specified consolidated metropolitan statistical areas. Includes Capitol Police as law enforcement officers under such Act. Eliminates the limitation on the aggregate of basic pay and premium pay with respect to availability pay for Federal criminal investigators.