Res. No. 443
Resolution calling on the U.S. Congress and the President to increase funding for the Port Security Grant Program and the Homeland Security Grant Program
By Council Members Hanks, Louis and Morano
Whereas, New York City is home to one of the most critical components of national infrastructure, the Port of New York and New Jersey, which serves as a major hub for global commerce, energy distribution, supply chains, and passenger transportation; and
Whereas, The City’s extensive maritime, transportation, and critical infrastructure systems are deeply interconnected and essential not only to local economic stability, but also to regional and national security; and
Whereas, New York City remains a high-priority target for terrorism, cyberattacks, and transnational criminal activity due to its population density, global economic significance, and concentration of critical infrastructure assets; and
Whereas, Federal data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) indicates that New York City has been the target of more than 35 terrorist plots since September 11, 2001, including at least 17 between 2015 and 2019, demonstrating the continued elevated threat environment facing the City; and
Whereas, Federal homeland security funding, including the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) and the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), administered through FEMA within the United States Department of Homeland Security, have historically played a vital role in supporting counterterrorism preparedness, infrastructure protection, and emergency response capabilities in New York City; and
Whereas, The PSGP provides targeted funding to strengthen maritime infrastructure security, enhance surveillance and detection capabilities, support cybersecurity resilience, and improve port-wide risk management and emergency response coordination; and
Whereas, The HSGP provides broader risk-based funding through programs such as the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), State Homeland Security Program, and Operation Stonegarden, supporting law enforcement terrorism prevention, intelligence analysis, emergency management operations, and critical infrastructure protection; and
Whereas, Both the PSGP and HSGP programs collectively support essential capabilities within the New York City Police Department (NYPD), Fire Department (FDNY), and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), including bomb squads, intelligence analysts, cyber defense operations, hazardous materials response, and security for high-risk locations and transportation corridors; and
Whereas, HSGP funding to New York City is distributed among these key agencies, with approximately 66% allocated to the NYPD, 23% to the FDNY, and 11% to NYCEM; and
Whereas, New York City receives a significant portion of its counterterrorism and emergency preparedness funding through UASI, which is specifically designed to support high-risk, high-density urban areas facing elevated threat environments; and
Whereas, The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services serves as the State Administrative Agency for these federal grants and is responsible for distributing at least 80% of State Homeland Security Program and UASI funds to local governments based on risk assessments and identified capability needs; and
Whereas, Despite the continued elevated threat environment, reductions and fluctuations in PSGP and HSGP funding in recent fiscal years have raised concerns regarding the ability of local jurisdictions to sustain long-term preparedness investments and maintain critical counterterrorism infrastructure; and
Whereas, HSGP funding levels have declined from $1.12 billion annually in fiscal years 2021 through 2023 to $1.008 billion in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, reflecting reduced federal resources available for state and local homeland security and preparedness efforts; and
Whereas, The Port Security Grant Program similarly declined from $100 million in fiscal years 2021 through 2023 to $90 million in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, reducing available funding for maritime infrastructure security and port resilience initiatives; and
Whereas, The increasing complexity of security threats, including cyber intrusions targeting critical infrastructure, evolving terrorism risks, and disruptions to global supply chains, demonstrates the need for sustained and expanded federal investment in port and urban security systems; and
Whereas, Strengthening and expanding these federal funding programs would improve New York City’s ability to anticipate, prevent, and respond to evolving threats while reinforcing the security of infrastructure that is essential to national economic stability and homeland security; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the U.S. Congress and the President to increase funding for the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) and the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP).
CMB
LS#23048
4/15/2026