Conference Report on H.R. 1, Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1, IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 9/11 COMMISSION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - July 27, 2007)
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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the conference report to H.R. 1. I want to commend Homeland Security Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member King and others for their good work on the bill. I support the conference report because I believe it will improve America's security.
I sought a seat on the Homeland Security Committee so I could continue the bipartisan efforts to further strengthen our Nation's homeland defenses. I was disappointed, extremely disappointed, that this bill bypassed our committee earlier this year and was brought to the floor without the opportunity for amendment and time for meaningful debate that these serious subjects deserve.
The conference report is, however, an improvement over the House bill. Although I don't have time to cover all of the provisions, I am pleased that Ranking Member King's commonsense proposal to provide civil immunity to good Samaritans who report suspicious activity is now included in this measure.
I am heartened that the conference report includes two proposals that I made that were included in the rail and public transportation security bill the House passed earlier this year. The first will require the security coordinators who are developing and implementing rail security plans to be American citizens, which makes sense since U.S. citizenship is required for individuals seeking security clearances for access to classified information and materials.
The second will require the physical testing of rail tank cars used to carry toxic-inhalation hazardous materials to determine how best to secure them from attack, and more accurately, a modeling analysis to better understand the real-world consequences and most effective manner to mitigate the release of such dangerous materials.
Mr. Speaker, I believe this is a good bill that could have been better if we had followed regular order and given Members of the House and the Homeland Security Committee our rightful opportunity to fully review and revise its contents. I hope the majority gives us that opportunity in the future.
I think this bill is a step in the right direction. Therefore, I urge adoption by this body and enactment by the President.
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