Senator Jack Reed's Statement on Terrorist Activities in London

Senator Jack Reed's Statement on Terrorist Activities in London

Friday, July 22, 2005

Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) stated, "The United States continues to stand with England in this time of sorrow, hardship and uncertainty.

"Millions of Americans, as well as, millions of people around the world remain tense as we work to secure of transit systems and catch the terrorists and criminals who commit these acts.

"Unfortunately, last week the leadership in Congress cut funding for transit security for the United States in the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. I will work with my Senate colleagues to increase the amount of transit security funding, but without the support of the President it will be difficult to accomplish."

Reed, a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation, sponsored legislation to increase funding for transit security and consistently urged the Bush Administration to improve transit security. Last year Reed sponsored a bipartisan bill to provide $3.5 billion for the nation's transit security needs over the course of the next three years. Each attempt by Reed was block by the Republican Leadership in Congress.

In 2001 and 2002 Reed, as the Chair of the Transit Subcommittee, held hearings on the threat of terrorism to the U.S. transit system. A 2002 report released by the

Government Accountability Office stated that US transit systems are vulnerable to terrorist attack and face difficulties in establishing tight security due to high ridership and a need for easy access for commuters.

http://reed.senate.gov/tributes/LondoTerror7-22-05.htm