Northern Border
More on Northern Border
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant application period is now open with a deadline of May 15, 2020 at 5:00pm.
“Activities related to firefighter recruitment, hiring and retention are a constant focus for both career and volunteer departments,” said Congressman Higgins. “The SAFER program supports efforts to ensure fire stations are adequately staffed to answer the call. We encourage local departments to apply.”
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced several Western New York communities are slated to receive a combined $1,019,019 in federal funding to assist public safety agencies with the emergency response to the coronavirus outbreak.
“For first responders, risk comes with the job but this virus creates a whole new level of uncertainty,” said Higgins. “They dedicate themselves to protecting us and we need to make sure they have the resources to protect themselves and the communities they serve.”
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is responding to multiple reports confirmed by the Canadian government that the White House is making plans to send 1,000 U.S. troops to the border between the U.S. and Canada.
Higgins, who serves as Co-Chair of the House of Representatives Northern Border Caucus, released the following in response:
On the heels of the U.S.-Canadian agreement on border travel restriction, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins today demanded that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Wolf designate Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers as employees working under hazard, given the severe spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in New York. Schumer and Higgins said that the designation is essential, because it would allow CBP officers to receive hazard pay, providing financial insulation in the event that they or their family members are infected.
With news of a binational plan for strict restrictions at the border between the United States and Canada, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is asking U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide clear details on the procedures for necessary border crossings and other information related to staffing levels and protections.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s orders for military action which led to the death of Iran General Qasem Soleimani:
On the eve of New York State’s first ever early voting, which runs from October 26th to November 3rd, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) took to the House floor to express his support for legislation he cosponsored that includes measures aimed at closing loopholes that allow foreign governments and individuals to spend money in and influence American elections. H.R.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced that the Town of West Seneca and West Seneca Fire District 3 have been awarded federal grants totaling $401,428 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“This federal funding will aid in fire protection, preparedness and community safety measures in the Town of West Seneca,” said Congressman Higgins. “We commend the Town and the Fire Department for pursuing and winning federal resources in this highly competitive program and we are grateful for the selfless work of our volunteer firefighters.”
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced that a federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program has been awarded to the City of Buffalo for the hiring of firefighters. The grant is for a total of $9,806,400 and administered by DHS’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Congressmembers Brian Higgins (D- NY-26) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) announced introduction of the BOUND (Border Officer Utilization for National Defense) Act, requiring minimum staffing levels for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stationed at ports of entry along the northern border.