Boswell introduceds bill to fund Homeland Security, unfunded mandates

Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell has introduced a bill that would send money to the states to cover some Homeland Security measures and to pay for other federal mandates, like disability access to public buildings. Boswell, a democrat, says the bill would send 431-million dollars to Iowa. Boswell says 20-percent of the funding would go directly to homeland security, 20-percent would go for Medicaid funding and 60-percent would help pay for the so-called “unfunded” federal mandates. Boswell says those mandates include spending schools must undertake to fulfill the rules in the “No Child Left Behind Act.” Boswell says the bill would send a total of 50 billion dollars to the 50 states. Boswell’s bill is identical to one introduced in the Senate by North Carolina Senator John Edwards, a democrat who’s running for President. Edwards says local government officials are forced to raise taxes to make up their budget shortfalls, and this federal money will provide relief.Edwards says the money for Medicaid would be a big boost to his state and Iowa.The Senator and Congressman were asked how the request would make its way through all the war talk. Edwards responded that people are worried about the soldiers in the war and also worried about what they see happening to the economy.Edwards and Boswell spoke by telephone with Iowa reporters.