Schumer: Bipartisan Effort Restored Vital Anti-Terror Funding Over WH Objections

Proposed cuts in anti-terrorism funding were restored thanks to bipartisan work in Congress that overcame the objections of the White House, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said.

Speaking on "The Cats Roundtable" Sunday radio show on AM 970 New York hosted by John Catsimatidis, Schumer, a Democrat, said that at the beginning of the confrontation over the $330 million in proposed cuts by the Obama Administration to the Urban Area Security Initiative, "I thought the White House would have said this was a mistake, but they stuck to their guns … how could you cut anti-terrorism funding after Paris and after Brussels?"

Schumer said the funding was vital to remain vigilant against terrorism threats, especially in more vulnerable areas like New York, stressing that the restoration of the cuts was done "frankly through Congress and not the administration."

When the controversy arose in February, the New York Post reported that the White House was unusually vicious in attacking Schumer, who is presumed to be the next Senate Democratic leader, apparently still upset with him over his opposition to the White House negotiated Iran nuclear deal.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said at a press conference in February, “Sen. Schumer’s credibility in talking about national security issues — particularly when the facts are as they are when it relates to homeland security — have to be affected by the position that he’s taken on other issues,”

In the interview with Catsimatidis, Schumer commented on another piece of legislation that angered the White House, the recent passage of the bill that allows families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia.

"Even though [the Saudis] are a good ally, this supersedes that," Schumer said, adding that the Saudis should not be afraid of going to court if their claims of innocence are true. "Any country that is complicit in 9/11 and aided and abetted it should pay a price … this will be a warning shot to other government that want to participate in terrorism."

Schumer also touched on the Zika virus, pressing for the full funds that Obama has asked to combat it, saying the money is crucial to take all the steps necessary to prevent a catastrophe

Related stories:

• Schumer Slams Obama Budget Cuts to Anti-terror Funds
  
• White House Spars with Schumer over Anti-Terror Funding