Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009

Floor Speech

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, let me start by echoing Ranking Member Lewis's misgivings about this so-called process. While I am certainly no stranger to omnibus appropriations bills, I must say we could have avoided this amended bill business that we are going through here today, this kabuki dance, and actually conferenced each bill. That was certainly the case on the Homeland Security bill when Republicans were in the majority. The bill was debated on the House floor. It was brought through the conference committee with the Senate in regular order.

Instead, this has been a closed-door process largely devoid of Member input, no formal conference, no motion to recommit, very little debate. Needless to say, this process falls far short of the open and fair debate that has been a hallmark of this People's House.

Now, having said that, and getting that off my chest, I am reminded a bit of what Mark Twain said about Wagner's music. He said it is really better than it sounds. And this bill is better than I have just described it.

I have to commend Chairman Price on doing his very best through this flawed process, looking out for House priorities and putting together a thoughtful agreement on the homeland security portion of this bill.

This division includes substantial funding for critical border security, immigration enforcement, infrastructure protection, and State and local programs that will certainly make our Nation safer and more secure.

I also want to applaud Chairman Price's efforts in keeping DHS on track to produce results and continuing our subcommittee's tradition of strict accountability. Tying funding to results has always been the mantra of this subcommittee, and I trust it will thus ever be so.

Lastly, I would be remiss, Mr. Speaker, without personally thanking Chairman Price for accommodating the minority's concerns where possible. He has approached his duties as chairman with the honorable statesmanship for which he is known in this chamber, and I have sincerely valued my time in serving alongside him over the last 2 years.

Mr. Speaker, I reflect upon the last 6 years in which I have had the privilege of serving both as chairman and now ranking member on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. I am struck by both the progress that we have made since 9/11 and the daunting challenges that remain before us. Homeland security is not just about guns, guards and gizmos. It is about the dedication of hundreds of thousands of people who are working tirelessly and standing the watch to keep us safe. We must all remember that the department is only 5 years old, a fledgling agency that is mature in some areas, sadly deficient in others.

And it is this continued development of DHS that probably concerns me most. I have always cautioned the department to resist a migration toward the bureaucratic inertia that so grips and paralyzes many government agencies. In the case of homeland security, the mission is far too critical to head down such a cumbersome path to failure.

I remain hopeful the vast resources we have devoted to homeland security over the past 6 years have not only made us more secure against known threats, but also more prepared for those we have not even thought of. It is this devotion to resolute vigilance and constant improvement that will carry our great Nation through the fire and over all of those who wish to do us harm.

Again, let me thank the staff for the work that they have contributed on this bill, both majority and minority and personal office staffs have all pitched in. We have had a good time working together, and I would like to say finally how much I have enjoyed working with the new chairman of this subcommittee, DAVID PRICE, who has been agreeable most of the time and has been a gentleman all of the time. I have enjoyed our association, and wish that it would continue.

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