Bookkeeping does not trump security – at least not in New York.
In an effort to cut government spending, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner attempted to pass a bill to collect $179 million from the United Nations – some of which would have funded security upgrades around the headquarters, which is just across the East River from Queens.
The security upgrades – the U.N. Capital Master Plan – calls for $100 million in upgrades and was requested by the New York Police Department (NYPD). The bill failed to get the necessary votes on the House floor, as it was defeated 259-169 on Thursday, February 10.
The bill was meant to recoup a surplus of contributions made by the U.S. into the U.N. Tax Equalization Fund – which serves to reimburse U.N. workers for taxes paid on their salaries – however, some lawmakers thought this was foolish way to go after payback.
“It’s not a smart thing to do,” said Congressmember Gary Ackerman about the proposed bill. “It recklessly jeopardizes the security and safety of the people of New York City. And it does so for no reason.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter to Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, urging the House leadership to maintain the funding meant to protect New York’s potential terror targets.
“Security funding for New York City is a national priority,” said Gillibrand. “No other city in America faces the level or frequency of threats as New York does on a daily basis. The NYPD does a tremendous job of remaining vigilant and protecting out city, and we must always support them with the resources they need. We can’t afford to cut funding for law enforcement that is critical for keeping our city or our nation safe.”
In a letter drafted to proponents of the bill, Ackerman said that the NYPD expressed a need for these security improvements and that the bill would take away any funds that were allocated for that purpose.
“It [the bill] would irresponsibly and indefinitely delay vital security improvements to the perimeter of the U.N. campus in New York City that the State Department wants to undertake and has the resources to commit,” said Ackerman. “Why do this?”
