Hey Sen. McCain (R-idiculous), the spending is related to Homeland Security because the grant is administered by FEMA, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. You may want to argue that FEMA doesn't belong in that Department, but that's a separate issue.

As opposed to the good spending on bailing out banks, insurance companies & car companies.

"Despite complaints from Sen. John McCain, lawmakers in Washington have approved $250,000 for the Brigham City Senior Center."

Who carried Utah?

Homeland Security was a needless growth in government that served no one. When, you're proven to have failed in government, you reorganize. Reorganizing, just adds another tier.

Germany had Der Vaterland and Stalin had Mother Russia. Bush had the Homeland.

Republicans claim they are for smaller government but they are constantly expanding it.

The Brigham City project was a part of an existing FEMA "pre-disaster" mitigation grant program. It qualified under the strict terms of that existing grant program. The earmark just ensured that the brigham city project got funded under existing guidelines. The Senior Center is right on top of wasatch fault, and Brigham is in process of bolstering all of the public buildings in that area. McCain doesn't know what he's talking about. FEMA is part of the new Department of Homeland Security, so funding is under the FEMA portion of the DHS appropriations bill. McCain channeled stuff for Arizona when he was in position of power -- gobbling up all of the new slots at Reagan National Aiport for Phoenix-based America West Airlines -- to the exclusion of Utah hubbed- Delta airlines, when McCain was Chairman of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee. (and got PAC contributions) So he's hardly Johnnie the Bubble Boy.

Your calling McCain a hypocrite may be an oxymoronic statement. You appear to fully support earmarks and local use of Federal taxpayer money. That is usually in opposition to Republican philosophy. Especially a senior center! Come on!

If it were the Hill AFB runway or FBI office, then it would qualify for DHS funding. But not a senior center! McCain is right on.

Of course, hypocracy is rampant in the Republican Party. It is as much a party of big government as the Democrats. So let's call a pig a pig: Just because Hatch, Bennett et.al. support it does not mean it is worthy of taxpayer money. Especially a senior center!

Since when did McCain ever stand up for smaller government. He's a moderate not a conservative.

To my critic of my calling McCain a hypocrite, yes, I believe that a $250,000 grant from FEMA to retrofit the Senior Center in Brigham City which sits on top of the Wasatch Fault and according to the USGS, Brigham City segment of the fault has the greatest potential for the strongest earth movement (and potential deaths and damage), is warranted under existing FEMA program. The theory is it's better to prevent deaths and injuries than pay for them at higher cost later. Get it? Is there a federal role here? Well, reasonable people could debate that point. But the program has existed for many years. Why shouldn't Brigham City and Box Elder get their fair share of the program. Other states sure do. I'm glad Bishop and the others represented their constituents on this one. As far as McCain being right, no he isn't. This funding is part of the DHS Appropriations bill. FEMA is funded there. It's a FEMA program. Bush 43 put FEMA under DHS. So McCain can play politics to suit his needs all he wants, but won't change that fact!!

To the guy who claims Republicans are as much of big government as Democrats, are you kidding me? Have you been hanging out in a cave for the past 8 months? Obama and the Democratic Regime in House and Senate (they control both chambers)... have been spending money -- future generation's money -- on a scale never before seen. $5 billion for ACORN, for crying out loud! Bailouts, handouts. Cash for Clunkers. Payoff checks to Senior Citizens. you name it, they've done it. Other than the STIMULUS bill, when some Republicans were talked into supporting it, there are no Republicans I'm aware of jumping on the Obama SPending Express. So quit all of your populist, uninformed disparagement when you can't cite specific examples.