Senate approves increased funding for synagogues, non-profits

http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/103282.html
Published: 07/27/2007

The Senate approved an increase in federal funding to help protect high-risk non-profit institutions from terrorism.

The 2008 Senate spending bill, approved Friday, includes a $20 million increase in funding to protect high-risk non-profits such as synagogues, hospitals and community centers from terrorist attacks. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) pushed for the increase, as she has done in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 spending bills.

A significant portion of $50 million allocated for 2005 and 2006 went to Jewish institutions. In the past, federal funds have been used by non-profits for security enhancements, such as concrete barriers.

“This is a federal investment in added security to help protect organizations at risk,” said Mikulski.