Congressman Oberstar Meets with Arrowhead Region Firefighters: Veteran Lawmaker Wants FEMA Separated from DHS
February 11, 2006 — Congressman Jim Oberstar paid a visit to the regular meeting of the Arrowhead Regional Firefighters' Association on February 11, 2006 in Chisholm. The Congressman talked about the major cuts planned for the Fire Act Grant Program in Fiscal Year 07. According to Oberstar, President Bush has recommended that the grant program be trimmed by nearly 50% to $293.45 million. In Fiscal Year 2006, the program will receive $545 million. Oberstar also talked about the inclusion of FEMA under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2002 and said that he has introduced legislation which would make FEMA a separate agency again. According to Oberstar, last year's hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, particularly Hurricane Katrina, showed that the agency has lost its focus while under DHS. The Congressman also told the gathering that he has very deep concerns about the Fire Act Grant Program because the emphasis of DHS has been terrorism and not necessarily about the needs and concerns of this country's firefighters. Congressman Oberstar is Minnesota's longest serving member in the U.S. House of Representatives and is the senior democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.