The feds are slashing terror funding for New York's anti-terror programs and mass transit system, according to Sen. Charles Schumer.
The surprising move comes just 11 days after a botched attempt to explode a car bomb in Times Square -- yet another reminder that New York City remains the prime target for terrorist strikes in the United States.
Lawmakers said DHS briefed Congressional staffers on Wednesday, saying that New York City will receive 27 percent less this year for mass transit security and 25 percent less for port security.
The announcement came on the eve of President Obama's visit to the NYPD to thank the department for its amazing work in unraveling the botched Times Square car bomb plot. A White House spokeswoman would not confirm the President's planned visit to 1 Poliec Plaza, but the city has already made preparations for the downtown visit.
Schumer blasted yesterday’s announcement that the Department of Homeland Security would be slashing the Big Apple's allocation of Mass Transit and Port Security funding.
“For the administration to announce these cuts two weeks after the attempted Times Square bombing shows they just don’t get it and are not doing right by New York City on anti-terrorism funding," Schumer said in a statement.
Republican Rep. Peter T. King calls the decision "dangerous and unconscionable.
"We urge them to reconsider this decision. Instead of distributing funding all over the country, they should focus their attention where the greatest threat exists, right here in New York," he said.
DHS says it supports the city's anti-terrorism efforts through "an array of grant programs."
Officials pointed out that DHS was given less money to work with this year by Congress and the Obama Administration -- and New York's percentage of the total pot has remained the same.
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“DHS is actively engaged in supporting New York City's first responders and overall preparedness for acts of terrorism and other disasters through an array of grant programs," said an agency spokesman. "In 2009, DHS awarded more than $457 million to New York City to prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other threats."
The cuts are expected to be officially announced on Thursday.
