Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2005

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Connecticut for his leadership. I will be brief. In 2 minutes, one has no choice. This subject could and should have a long debate. I understand the time constraints.

We heard of the awful, terrible terrorist attack in Spain. There is some debate as to whether it is ETA, the Basque separatist organization, or al-Qaida. Now signs are beginning to point to al-Qaida. I am getting asked by my people whether this could happen in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or anywhere else? The obvious answer is yes.

We are not close to doing what we should be doing on homeland security. We are not helping our first responders, who are desperate for more help in terms of their patrols and the equipment. They have cut out money for interoperability of radio, which we in New York City learned was so important on 9/11.

In port security, we are wide open and we are doing very little. Truck security-what if they use bombs in trucks to blow up buildings, or railroad stations, or whatever else? Brazil is way ahead of us on truck security, I hate to say. The northern border is still wide open and empty. Our immigration lists don't match up with our FBI lists, which is allowing terrorists to slip into this country.

None of this is lack of technology. This is all lack of dollars. This budget talks tough on homeland security, but it doesn't do the job. The terrible tragedy in Spain today should remind us we are just as wide open and vulnerable, but we don't have to be.

I salute my colleague from Connecticut on his amendment because it is so needed, so desperately needed. We are doing everything we can to fight the war on terror overseas. I have been supportive of that war. But the bottom line is that we are not doing close to enough at home to protect us. Money will help. If there was ever a consensus where we need more dollars, it is here. We are not doing it.

I hope this Senate, in a bipartisan way, will rise to the occasion and support the amendment my friend has offered and of which I am proud to be a cosponsor.