VERENA DOBNIK
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071202/ap_on_re_us/security_grants_13A Bush administration plan to slash anti-terror grant programs by more than half would threaten the safety of U.S. cities, several New York politicians charged Saturday.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer blasted the Bush administration's plan to eliminate some port and rail security programs and cut Homeland Security grants for states and cities from $3.4 billion in the fiscal year 2007 to $1.4 billion in 2009.
"To say, no port security, no transit security, when we know that our ports and transit lines are targets for terrorists makes no sense if you want to protect America," said Schumer, D-N.Y.
In a letter to President Bush Saturday, Hillary Rodham Clinton said that in light of the terrorist threats facing the nation, "it is unimaginable to hear that you would cut funding for our nation's law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders by more than half."