President Bush: Don't Put DC Security in Peril
On January 20, 2005, thousands of Bush supporters and opponents will converge on Washington, DC for inaugural events. For the first time in history, no money will be available to the District of Columbia for security costs. Instead, the federal government has instructed the DC government to use nearly $12 million in homeland security funds for inaugural security. Tell President Bush that needed homeland security funds for our nation's capital shouldn't be spent on inauguration security.
In the past, a special appropriation was used to cover inaugural expenses. This year, the Bush administration broke with tradition and required the District to pay for security related costs. This will require the DC government to take $11.9 million from homeland security funds earmarked for other security needs, such as increasing hospital capacity and providing adequate firefighter gear.
Our nation's capital is a prime target for terrorist attacks. The District of Columbia is home to so much of our nation's history. Tell President Bush to help protect that history by reimbursing the District for inaugural security expenses.
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