Earlier this week, Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D) issued a warning to the United States, calling for the country to “be vigilant against terrorism” and the threat that the Chines Communist party poses on the United States. In an effort to combat foreign enemies, Rep. Murphy has joined forces with Florida Rep. Val Demings (D) and Florida Rep. Darren Soto (D) to announce a terror-prevention and preparedness grant funding for Orlando. It will be under the Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative.
With a total of $3.8 million, Murphy explained that this program is vital to keeping the country and the state safe because “for many years, Orlando received no funding from the federal government to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism.” The funding will ensure and lawmakers “keep fighting to bring home the resources local law enforcement and non-profit organizations need to keep Central Floridians safe.”
Soto echoed in her remarks, adding that “as our community continues to grow, we are extremely grateful to receive this increased funding that will aid us in enhancing our law enforcement’s preparedness and prevention methods.” Moreover, Soto also cited that the people of Orlando understand what it means to face a terrorist attack, detailing that it was “perpetrated by those seeking to create panic and fear, and we are certain this funding will help eliminate such instances wherever possible.”
Rep. Demings highlighted that “this year’s national priority areas include domestic violent extremism for the first time, which the FBI and other agencies have identified as our top domestic security challenge.” Calling the terror prevention program one of her top priorities since being elected to Congress, Demings asserted that “the best way to ensure success is to prepare, and as a former law enforcement officer I have seen firsthand how important those federal dollars are to keeping all of us safe.”
