Rep. Dan Goldman’s Counterterrorism Grant Funding Bill Passes House with Overwhelming Bipartisan Support

 

 

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Dan Goldman’s (NY-10) bipartisan ‘Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act’ with 380 votes, marking a major step toward improving how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) communicates with states, cities, and local partners that rely on federal homeland security grants to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism. 

 

“Every year, Congress allocates billions of dollars to protect our communities from terrorism and domestic extremism,” Congressman Goldman said. “But too often, bureaucratic red tape prevents first responders and local agencies from accessing those funds. By requiring FEMA to communicate clearly, respond quickly, and work hand-in-hand with state and local officials, this bill will ensure these critical resources actually reach the people keeping our country safe. I am proud it received such overwhelming support, and I urge the Senate to take it up immediately and send it to the President’s desk for final passage.” 

  

Developed in response to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report citing insufficient communication and transparency in FEMA’s grant process, Congressman Goldman’s bill would ensure that FEMA provides continuous education, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement for the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)—two cornerstone federal grant programs created after 9/11. 

 

 

 

In Fiscal Year 2024, New York State received $61 million under SHSP and New York City received $156 million under UASI. These funds support regional preparedness, counterterrorism, and critical infrastructure protection across the state and city. 

 

The bill is endorsed by the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).