Lawmakers blast first responder funding formulas

Lawmakers at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Wednesday bemoaned what they called inadequate and archaic funding formulas to equip the nation's "first responders" to emergencies for combating and responding to terrorism.

The United States "remains dangerously ill-prepared" to face another attack, said Technology, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. The government "needs to spend its money more wisely" in a way that is based on risks to various communities rather than an equitable percentage of funding for each community.

Rep. Christopher Cox, R-Calif., concurred, adding that another problem is the complex application process for states and localities to be reimbursed for expenses the federal government requires.

To solve the problem, Rep. Jim Turner, R-Texas, told the panel that he plans to introduce legislation designed "to close these security gaps" by identifying preparedness needs, streamlining grant programs and creating a strategy for training and disbursing equipment.