Rubio, Nelson urge reassessment of security risks for Orlando area

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bill Nelson (R-FL) urged the president on Wednesday to reevaluate the Relative Risk Score Threat Level applied to the Orlando area so that it qualifies for funding under the Urban Area Security Initiative.

The two senators sent letters to the Obama administration and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. Both senators expressed concerns that there are not enough federal security and anti-terrorism resources in Central Florida.

“One federal program, the Urban Area Security Initiative, provides important support to help certain high-threat urban areas to prevent, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks,” the senators wrote. “For the last several years, Orlando has not qualified for funding under this initiative, despite its obvious global-profile and vulnerability. In light of the recent tragedy, previous history with terrorist investigations, and emerging terrorist threats, we respectively suggest you reevaluate the Relative Risk Score and Threat Level your Department applies to the Orlando area under this program with heavily weighted consideration of the Joint Terrorism Task Force input.”

The senators added that this was not the first time that the area had been affected by terrorist plots, with both Boston Marathon bombers and certain Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers having ties to the area.