Top GOPer meeting with Napolitano about anti-terror funding cuts

A key Republican lawmaker is scheduled to meet with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano about proposed cuts to anti-terror funds for New York City.

Rep. Pete King (N.Y.), the ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, tweeted Thursday:

Meeting with DHS Sec. Napolitano about funding cuts for NY and Times Square attack.

In an announcement yesterday, the Obama administration said it is cutting transit security grants for New York 27 percent and port security 25 percent.

New York lawmakers, including King and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) are unhappy with the cuts, saying their timing is ill conceived. They come after a bombing attempt failed in New York City's Times Square less than two weeks ago; an incident that is still under investigation.

The administration has said that the reductions were made before the attack and are simply part of across-the-board cuts that are not specifically targeted at New York.

Officials also say that terror funding for New York is still higher than it was during the Bush administration.

President Barack Obama will visit New York City Thursday after he hold an economic event in Buffalo. He is scheduled to meet with members of the New York City Police Department and attend a Democratic fundraiser.

New York lawmakers are also happy with the administration's decision to de-fund a program to create a security ring to defend against a "dirty bomb" attack in the city. 

Critics have questioned the viability of the program, saying it could be technologically impossible.

Cross-posted to the Twitter Room

This post was updated at 12:30 p.m.