Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, fought for first responders in South Dakota today as the FY10 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill passed the committee this afternoon. The bill includes $6.5 million in Johnson requested Homeland Security Grant funding for South Dakota.

“This funding is a sign of my strong commitment to keeping South Dakotans safe and ensuring our first responders have the resources they need to protect our local communities,” said Johnson. “As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I was proud to request this funding and will continue to bring home federal resources that move our cities and towns forward.”

The State Homeland Security Grant Program provides assistance to state governments to fund the needs of our nation’s first responders.  These funds are passed from the state to local governments for emergency preparedness, training, exercises, and equipment.

Last month, Johnson asked Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, and Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), ranking member, to include this funding as the appropriations request moved forward. In the letter, Johnson stressed the importance of this funding in keeping local communities safe.

President Obama’s FY10 budget requested at least $950 million nationwide in funding for this program. As the appropriations process moves forward in Washington, Johnson will continue fighting for important programs like the Homeland Security Grant program.

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For more information on Senator Tim Johnson visit his website at http://johnson.senate.gov

To contact Senator Johnson’s communications office via e-mail, write his Communications Director at Julianne_Fisher@Johnson.Senate.gov or his Deputy Communications Director at Jeff_Gohringer@Johnson.Senate.gov