Domestic Defense Fund Act of 2005

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1378)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 24, 2005

Domestic Defense Fund Act of 2005 - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to award grants to States, units of local government, and Indian tribes for homeland security development. Requires grant awardees, among other requirements, to develop a homeland security plan identifying both short- and long-term homeland security needs. Provides authorized uses of grant assistance, including: (1) funding additional law enforcement, fire, and other emergency response resources and equipment; and (2) improving cyber and infrastructure security. Requires one percent of grant funds to be reserved for Indian tribes. Requires 70 percent of grant funds to be allocated among metropolitan cities and urban counties based on the Secretary's calculations of various infrastructure vulnerabilities and threats such as proximity to international borders, nuclear or other energy facilities, air, rail or water transportation, and national icons and Federal buildings. Requires the remaining percentage to be allocated among the States for use in non-qualifying communities (not a metropolitan city, urban county, or Indian tribe).

Requires certifications and annual reports with respect to grant uses. Provides for grant reallocations for failure to comply with use requirements.

Allocates funds to States, regional cooperations, and units of local government for: (1) homeland defense planning; (2) increased security through additional first responder personnel; (3) purchasing and refurbishing protective equipment for such personnel; (4) the development and maintenance of Statewide training facilities and homeland security best practices clearinghouses; and (5) the development and maintenance of communications systems that can be used between and among first responders, including law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical personnel.

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Allocates funds for discretionary grants to high-threat, high-risk urban areas for their homeland security needs.

Earmarks funds for a flexible emergency assistance fund for States and local governmental units that incur extraordinary homeland security costs.

Directs the Department of Homeland Security to develop national homeland security preparedness, first responder training, and equipment standards, and best practices for the use of funds authorized and allocated under this Act.

Mandates a ten percent matching funds requirement from grant recipients.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY] · D–NY

Committees

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Feb 15, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1378)
Jan 24, 2005
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S357-363)
Jan 24, 2005
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jan 24, 2005 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Discuss S.140, 109th Congress: Domestic Defense Fund Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-bill/140

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2005-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/s140/BILLS-109s140is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:59:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

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Analyze S.140 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.140, 109th Congress: Domestic Defense Fund Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-bill/140

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2005-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/s140/BILLS-109s140is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:59:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

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Discuss S.140, 109th Congress: Domestic Defense Fund Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-bill/140

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2005-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/s140/BILLS-109s140is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:59:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

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Discuss S.140, 109th Congress: Domestic Defense Fund Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-bill/140

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2005-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/s140/BILLS-109s140is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:59:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.140 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.