Tampa, Fla. will get $50 million in federal money to cover security costs for next year's Republican National Convention.
President Obama signed a wide-ranging appropriations bill that contains the money, as well as another $50 million for the Democratic convention in Charlotte, N.C.
Tampa officials had said they needed the money by the end of the year so they could get on with planning.
The funds will allow Tampa officials to bring in 3,000 to 4,000 more law enforcement officers and buy or lease surveillance cameras to monitor downtown crowds and protests during the convention, scheduled for Aug. 27-30. The event is expected to draw 50,000 people, including 10,000 to 15,000 demonstrators.