Sen. Chuck Schumer called the anti-terrorism program “the cornerstone of effective prevention against terrorist threats.” | Getty White House rips Schumer's 'credibility' on national security

The White House on Wednesday lambasted Sen. Chuck Schumer, calling into question his national security credentials after he criticized the Obama administration over homeland security funding.

New York officials, including Schumer, have called on the White House to restore counterterrorism funds to a federal program sending grants to state and local authorities.


In a statement Wednesday, Schumer called the antiterrorism program “the cornerstone of effective prevention against terrorist threats” and said it helps police do what they can to keep New Yorkers safe.

“It makes no sense for the administration to slash critically needed antiterrorism funding, especially at a time when we are all on high alert,” Schumer said. “I pledge to fight tooth and nail in Congress to make sure that [Urban Areas Security Initiative] funds are increased in New York City and across the country.”

“At some point, Sen. Schumer’s credibility in talking about national security issues, particularly when the facts are as they are when it relates to homeland security, have to be affected by the position that he’s taken on other issues,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest shot back.

Earnest said that the UASI account has $600 million in it and the Obama administration has proposed pouring a further $255 million into the program in 2016. “This year’s contribution into that account is almost twice as much as New York officials have spent out of that account over the last two years combined,” said Earnest, who added that New York receives more funds than most local communities because of how large it is and also because it’s “a high-profile target of terrorists.”

He then called out the senator for a vote he took last year rebuffing the administration over its nuclear deal with Iran and other world powers. “Sen. Schumer is somebody that came out and opposed the international agreement to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Earnest said. “He was wrong about that position, and most of his Democrats disagreed with him in taking that position. And when people look at the facts here when it comes to funding for homeland security they’ll recognize that he’s wrong this time, too.”

Eliza Collins contributed to this report.