DeLauro, House Democrats Kick off First 100 Hours By Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations
DeLauro, House Democrats Kick off First 100 Hours By Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations
Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) and the new leadership in the U.S. House kicked off their first 100 hour legislative agenda by passing the 9/11 Commission's recommendations remaining after the enactment of the Intelligence Reform bill in 2004. The legislation is expected to pass the U.S. House overwhelmingly.
"This Congress will not pay lip service to our country's homeland security," said DeLauro. "We will accept the call to action made last year when the bipartisan 9/11 Commissioners gave the Republican leadership and the Bush administration D's and F's for implementing the Commission's recommendations. The legislation passed today responds to this call by putting forth specific steps that address the shortfalls the 9/11 Commissioners highlighted."
The bill includes the following initiatives:
· Creating a grant program to provide first responders with the type of equipment that allows them to communicate with one another during emergencies;
· Phasing in a requirement of 100% inspection of the cargo carried on passenger aircraft over the next three years (most of this cargo is still not inspected);
· Quickly accelerating the installation of explosive detection systems for checked baggage at the nation's airports;
· Improving explosive detection systems at passenger checkpoints at the nation's airports; and
· Phasing in a requirement of 100% scanning of U.S.-bound shipping containers over the next five years.
The bill also includes provisions to better prevent terrorists from acquiring WMD, such as:
· Strengthening the Cooperative Threat Reduction ("Nunn-Lugar") program that focuses on securing loose nuclear materials in the former Soviet Union ;
· Providing increased tools for the Proliferation Security Initiative, through which the U.S. and participating countries interdict WMD; and
· Establishing a U.S. Coordinator for the Prevention of WMD Proliferation and Terrorism at the White House, who would serve as a presidential advisor on proliferation issues.
Finally, the bill also includes provisions to reduce the appeal of extremism, including:
* Providing for the establishment of a Middle East Foundation, to promote economic opportunities, education reform, human rights and democratic processes in the countries of the Middle East; and
* Promoting quality educational opportunities for youth in Arab and other predominantly Muslim countries, including expanding U.S. scholarship and exchange programs.
http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2007/January/Sept_11_Recommendations_01_09_07.html