NJ Rep. Pou Criticizes Sec. Noem for 'Illegal' Freeze of Anti-Terrorism Funds Ahead of World Cup

Concerns Over Counterterrorism Funding Cuts

• 🎯 Representative Nellie Pou (D-NJ) expressed deep disturbance over Secretary Noem's decision to freeze, delay, and cut billions in federal counterterrorism grant funds.
• ⚠️ This decision by DHS left state and local public safety organizations unable to access critical funding that had already been awarded.
• 🗓️ DHS also ignored legal deadlines for releasing this year's installment of $1.5 billion for counterterrorism programs.

Allegations of Political Motivation

• ✂️ When funding was finally released, DHS abruptly and illegally slashed funding to states with Democratic governors, including New Jersey.
• ⚖️ States and localities have filed lawsuits in federal court to recover funding appropriated by Congress but withheld by the federal government.
• ✉️ Pou sent a letter to Secretary Noem, signed by all Democratic colleagues from New Jersey, demanding an end to playing politics with counterterrorism funding and the immediate restoration of New Jersey's allocation.

Impact on New Jersey's Security

• 📉 New Jersey experienced a 50% cut to its allocation of the Homeland Security Grant Program, impacting initiatives like the urban air security initiative and the state homeland security program.
• 💰 Preliminarily allocated around $19 million, New Jersey ultimately received only $9 million, with the final award notification failing to provide a clear explanation for the drastic reduction, citing only a "DHS directive."
• 🏛️ Pou emphasized that Congress is a co-equal branch of government and expects the respect due to its appropriations, demanding a response from the Secretary.

World Cup and Heightened Threats

• ⚽ New Jersey, specifically northern New Jersey, will host the World Cup Final next year, creating an increasingly heightened threat environment.
• 🛡️ Federal counterterrorism grant funding is described as absolutely critical for keeping communities safe against evolving threats.