WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) today welcomed the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that it will be providing increased funding to New Jersey to build and sustain its capabilities to respond to terrorism.

DHS today released the FY 2018 Homeland Security Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).   In the NOFO for FY 2018, North Jersey’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), which includes Morris, Essex, Passaic, Bergen, Hudson, Middlesex, and Union, funding will be increased by $3 million to $22.7 million as a result of the area’s threat score increasing from Threat Level #7 to Threat Level #6.

“In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, I was early advocate for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program, which has proven so important to first responders in northern New Jersey,” said Frelinghuysen, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. “Since then, I have worked to protect UASI and ensure that New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the nation, receives more funding to prevent, prepare for and respond to acts of terrorism.”

“I am pleased that DHS is recognizing New Jersey’s vulnerabilities and unique security needs when distributing their funds.”

This critical funding was provided in the FY 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act, authored by Chairman Frelinghuysen, and signed into law by the President in March.  The Act provides funding for the entire federal government through September 30, 2018.

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