WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today criticized the Bush Administration for slashing the amount of federal funding Rhode Island will receive to prevent terrorism and respond to catastrophic disasters. Rhode Island will receive about $8 million less in counterterrorism funding this year than it did in last years budget."Slashing Rhode Island's homeland security funding is shortsighted and wrong," said Senator Reed. "The population density of the state as well as its critical location on the Eastern seaboard place it at risk for terrorism. In addition, the metropolitan area at the northern part of Narragansett Bay is at tremendous risk of property loss, and potentially the loss of human life, from category 3 hurricanes or noreasters."The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that Rhode Island will only get $7.84 million from the 2006 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). This is half the amount that the state received in 2005 ($16 million) and one-third of the 2004 level ($21.4 million)."Every day, law enforcement officers and first responders put their lives on the line to protect the public," said Reed. "By reducing Rhode Island's homeland security budget, the Bush Administration is shortchanging our safety." "Our police, fire, emergency medical services, and transportation officials need interoperable communications equipment so they can talk with each other during an emergency," noted Reed. "Local first responders are often unable to link their communication systems with state and federal emergency response agencies. The funding provided by DHS will not allow Rhode Island to continue its efforts to build a state system."Senator Reed is requesting DHS provide him and the state with an analysis of why the state received so little funding. In addition, he is requesting that DHS include the City of Providence in the Urban Areas Security Initiative.The Homeland Security Grant Program was cut nationwide. Overall, the Bush Administration reduced the anti-terror program by nearly $500 million dollars, down from $2.2 billion in 2005, to $1.7 billion in 2006.Last year Senator Reed voted for the Collins amendment to double the amount of funding allocated to high-risk states while ensuring that all states receive a guaranteed minimum level of funding so they may attain a minimum level of preparedness. But even Washington, DC and New York City will receive 40 percent less in urban grant money compared to last year.