Providing For Consideration Of Motions To Suspend The Rules

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES -- (House of Representatives - September 28, 2006)

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, homeland security is not a red or blue State issue. It is a red, white and blue issue. It is an American issue. When al Qaeda struck us 5 years ago, it did not distinguish its victims. The terrorists did not care if you were from a red or blue State.

Party distinctions mattered little to terrorists. Mother nature, too, had little use for arbitrary partisan labels as we learned with Hurricane Katrina and Rita. Those terrible storms inflicted suffering on all the people of the gulf coast.

The American people expect that homeland security is one of our top national priorities, and the 9/11 Commission, the bipartisan panel we created, said it must be a priority. Congress told that panel to get to the bottom of what happened on 9/11 and give us a road map to guard against future attacks.

They did their part, Madam Speaker. This do-nothing, do-over Congress, squandered time and resources and is now trying to pass off do-little rhetoric as real action.

Where has all of that gotten us? Where in the world has Congress been for 5 years? That is the question that the 9/11 Commission chair and vice-chair asked a few weeks ago on the fifth anniversary of the attacks, as this Congress chose to spend the week leading up to the 9/11 anniversary on a horse slaughter bill, and little else.

Mr. Kean and Mr. Hamilton lamented the lack of urgency across the board. Democrats agree with Mr. Kean and Mr. Hamilton, the adoption of the 9/11 Commission recommendations should be a no-brainer. And unless this Congress acts immediately, it will add do-not-care to its do-nothing label.

When we adjourn in a few days, Madam Speaker, this Congress will have failed, for example, to enact risk-based first responder funding. As a result, Washington and New York, areas we know the terrorists still want to attack, will still be vulnerable.

Congress has done even worse on interoperable communications. Just this week the Republicans have refused to include funding and resources in FEMA provisions attached to the Homeland Security appropriations bill.

The House leadership can spend a day talking about protecting the lives of horses on the floor, but can't find the time to debate legislation that will protect the lives of our first responders. I don't know about you, Madam Speaker, but as a former volunteer firefighter, I would trade a horse any day for interoperable communications.

Madam Speaker, Democrats stand united in calling for the enactment of the 9/11 Commission recommendations. We insist, no, demand that Congress act immediately to provide first responders with the equipment, training and resources they need.

We call for stronger transportation and critical infrastructure security planning and support. It saddens me that the House in discussing the port security bill with the Senate refuses to provide funding for protecting subways, trains and buses across our Nation.

Did we not learn anything from the attacks in London, Madrid and Mumbai? Democrats want to secure our border, and we want to do it right.

Five years ago the President announced that he was creating an Office of Homeland Security to provide a robust and effective border security program. Half a decade later, Southwest Governors were forced to declare border emergencies, and the National Guard was sent to the U.S.-Mexican border to assist with the growing border crisis.

Yet despite the urgency of the situation, Madam Speaker, this Congress refuses to allow us to vote on a complete overhaul of our immigration system, adequate funding for border personnel, equipment and resources for border personnel, a system for addressing what to do with 12 million people without documentation in this country.

Instead, Madam Speaker, the House leadership chose to vote and revote on a fence without setting aside enough money to build it. Democrats also believe we must strengthen the relationship between the intelligence community and State and local law enforcement.

Today, as ranking member of Homeland Security, I am releasing a report entitled, ``LEAP'', Law Enforcement Assistance and Partnership strategy, that lays out a strategy for doing this.

Democrats absolutely believe we need clear and robust Congressional oversight of homeland security efforts. Too much money has been wasted in our current efforts with few checks in place.

Lastly, Democrats have and will continue to ensure that the war on terrorism does not cost us our privacy and civil liberties. As the Gilmore Commission told us a few years ago, counterterrorism initiatives must not undermine our unalienable rights. These rights are essential to the strength and security of our Nation, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Madam Speaker, I agree with the Gilmore Commission that there is probably nothing more strategic that our Nation must do than ensure our civil liberties.

Madam Speaker, it is time for this Congress to stand up and do something. This Congress cannot continue to be the Congress that left security behind.

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