Hold on Nomination of Hervey E. Johnson

Floor Speech

HOLD ON NOMINATION OF HARVEY E. JOHNSON -- (Senate - April 18, 2008)

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Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, more than 40 months ago, prior to his confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff told me in my office that if confirmed he would move expeditiously to implement the National Emergency Technology Guard--NET Guard--program. Unfortunately, Secretary Chertoff has so far failed to honor this pledge.

The idea of NET Guard was born in the aftermath of 9-11, when a number of communications and technology companies told me they wanted to help New York City when it was attacked--and there was no system for using their volunteers. Then-Senator George Allen and I moved on a bipartisan basis to support a program, called NET Guard, that would ensure that volunteers with technology expertise could be fully utilized in future crises. These teams of local volunteers with science and technology expertise would be vital in assisting our communities in responding to attacks on communications networks, or recovering from natural disasters. Congress authorized the establishment of NET Guard 5 years ago, in the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

However, DHS has delayed and delayed and so far failed to implement this critical program.

At times, Secretary Chertoff has appeared willing to move forward on NET Guard, but each time he stops short of action. On August 1, 2007, the Secretary pledged to me in a letter that he would be submitting a request to fund the NET Guard program in the President's fiscal year 2009 budget. I will ask that a copy of Secretary Chertoff's letter be printed in the RECORD. I thought this meant that the Secretary recognized NET Guard's potential and understood Congress's intention in authorizing the program. Unfortunately he failed to fulfill this promise and we again find ourselves at an impasse.

I feel that further delay is unacceptable. I reluctantly feel that I must put a hold on the nomination of Harvey E. Johnson who has been nominated by President Bush to serve as Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, until the NET Guard program is up and running.

I place this hold reluctantly, but see no other option in light of the Department's foot dragging. I am hopeful that the Department will soon be able to stand up a NET Guard program, and I will be able to withdraw my hold and Mr. Johnson's nomination can move through the Senate. In the meantime, I will object to any unanimous consent agreement to consider Mr. Johnson's nomination.

I ask that the letter to which I referred be printed in the RECORD.

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