Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1544, The Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders bill. The bill provides priority assistance to first responders facing greatest risk. Congressman Michael Burgess voted in favor of passage. Representative Michael Burgess had been on the front lines arguing for a more commonsense approach to the funding formula for first responders. Hotly debated during committee hearings last year, Congressman Burgess had this to say about today’s bill: Today’s passage was a necessary step in the often bumpy road to improving America’s homeland security allocation system. In December of 2004, the Department of Homeland Security allocated $12 million to Dallas in December 2004, but sent nothing to Tarrant County and Fort Worth. Tarrant County, home to Lockheed Martin, a military base, and just south of the Texas Motor Speedway is considered a major metropolitan area. Under this bill, DHS would be able to rectify this inequity for Tarrant County. I believe that this legislation is a good first step to assist our community. H.R. 1544 will help prioritize grant applications based on threat, vulnerability and consequences of a terrorist attack. The bill addresses local, state, regional and national preparedness. Grant applications will be required to fit with the statewide homeland security plans, and specify exactly how the money will be spent thus ensuring that the taxpayers hard earned dollars are not spent needlessly. States will also be committed to granting awards to first responders within 45 days or face penalties. Now, not only states but also regions, both intrastate and interstate, may apply for terrorism preparedness grants. Regional planning and coordination will be encouraged in all grant applications. Regional grant requests will be consistent with statewide homeland security plans. Specific, flexible and measurable goals for state and local government terrorism preparedness will also be instituted under H.R. 1544. The Secretary of Homeland Security will develop standards for first responder equipment and training and will be responsible for setting clear goals for national preparedness which will in turn help states and localities avoid wasteful spending and improve preparedness in specific and measurable ways.