First Responders Homeland Defense Act of 2004

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 4, 2004

First Responders Homeland Defense Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a toll-free hotline through which local governments and nonprofit organizations may obtain information regarding all Federal grant programs that make funds available for the assistance of first responders and for terrorism preparedness.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to: (1) nonprofit organizations for training and equipping first responders; and (2) States, local governments, local law enforcement agencies, and local fire departments to assist in improving or purchasing communication systems to permit real-time, interoperable communication between State and local first responders.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA] · D–CA

Committees

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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

Mar 4, 2004
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Mar 4, 2004
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2233)
Mar 4, 2004
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 · Mar 4, 2004 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

S 2239 · First Responders Homeland Defense Act of 2004

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.2171 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.2171, 108th Congress: First Responders Homeland Defense Act of 2004

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/2171

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2004-03-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s2171/BILLS-108s2171is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:49Z. 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.

Analyze S.2171 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.2171 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.2171, 108th Congress: First Responders Homeland Defense Act of 2004

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/2171

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2004-03-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s2171/BILLS-108s2171is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:49Z. 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.2171 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.2171 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.2171, 108th Congress: First Responders Homeland Defense Act of 2004

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/2171

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2004-03-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s2171/BILLS-108s2171is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:49Z. 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.2171 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.2171 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2171, 108th Congress: First Responders Homeland Defense Act of 2004

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/2171

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2004-03-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s2171/BILLS-108s2171is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:49Z. 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.2171 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.