Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Administrator Richardson,
We are writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police, the oldest and largest organization representing law enforcement officers and first responders to share with you the value of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program. This is an important public safety and anti-terrorism program under the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The UASI program is designed to provide Federal resources and support to high-threat, high-density urban areas across the United States. Law enforcement agencies operating in high-risk urban environments provide essential resources to prevent, mitigate, and respond to terrorist threats. From the perspective of rank-and-file officers and fire fighters—who face these dangers daily—UASI is a welcome and much-needed program that provides funding necessary to equip us with the tools, communications equipment, training, and coordination necessary to protect our communities and ourselves. This program not only enhances homeland security by building resilient capabilities but also directly supports law enforcement officers by funding protective gear, specialized training, and collaborative exercises that save lives.
The President’s FY 2026 Budget Request proposes a reduction of $138 million for the program. However, the House Committee on Appropriations favorably reported H.R. 4213, the “Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026,” in June, which increases funding for UASI to $615 million. We were pleased that the full appropriation for UASI, $553.5 million, was made available for the current fiscal year, despite reports that UASI would be “zeroed out” for 2025.
Our current concern, however, is the potential recommendations of the FEMA Review Council to significantly cut or eliminate the UASI program. While Executive Order 14180 did not directly mandate specific dollar-amount cuts to UASI or other programs, it initiated a full-scale review process that led to subsequent holds, pauses, and proposed reductions in FEMA grants. If the Review Council recommends “zeroing out” or cutting funding for UASI, it would have a deleterious impact on homeland security and public safety in every UASI region throughout the country.
We are asking for your support—and a commitment from you—to work with the FOP to ensure that the FY2026 allocation for UASI meets or exceeds the FY25 appropriation. Empirical evidence underscores this value. Since its inception, UASI has invested billions in urban preparedness, resulting in measurable improvements in response times and capability sustainment. For instance, in FY 2025, $615 million was allocated across 37 eligible urban areas and, directly supported efforts to combat emerging threats. Without UASI, law enforcement officers would face increased risks, and homeland security would suffer from fragmented defenses in our most vulnerable cities.
On behalf of the members of the FOP, we thank you for considering our perspective on this important homeland security and public safety program. If we can provide any additional information or examples about the value of UASI, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President