Issue Position: Homeland Security & Law Enforcement

Issue Position

"Washington state has unique homeland security challenges that require strong cooperation between its state, local and federal governments. Making sure our state and our nation are ready to confront new and evolving terrorist threats, international crime and preparing for natural disasters is critical to keeping our communities safe."

-- Senator Patty Murray

In December of 1999, a terrorist attempted to cross into the United States from Canada at Port Angeles. Fortunately, an alert Customs inspector discovered the explosive materials in his vehicle and the suspect was apprehended. Throughout her time in the Senate, and following the terrible terrorist attacks of September 11th, Senator Murray has worked to protect Washington state and our nation. Murray continues to push to assure our nation's homeland security response is comprehensive, effective, and fully funded. In addition, Murray has advocated for policies to fight drugs, violence, crime and gangs and supported increased funding for local and state law enforcement agencies.

As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murray has a seat at the table to influence homeland security funding decisions for our country.

* Senator Murray is one of the original authors of the SAFE Port Act of 2006 that was signed into law by President Bush. This bill took much needed steps to make our nation's ports more secure without interrupting trade.

* Since 2003 when it was announced that the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics would be held in Vancouver, B.C., Patty Murray has worked to strengthen the preparedness of our regional and northern border security so that fans can have better access to British Columbia from Washington State. Working with a taskforce of federal, state and local officials that have come together to address the needs of the 2010 Games, Murray has secured funding that will help those communities, law enforcement agencies and emergency officials get the training, infrastructure and resources they need to protect Washington state communities and travelers during the 2010 Olympics.

* Senator Murray called for additional resources along the Northern Border long before September 11, 2001. Murray was ultimately successful in passing legislation to triple the number of border agents along the Northern Border and worked to increase resources to prosecute criminals in Washington areas along the Canadian border. Murray also established the first Customs Air and Marine Wing in Bellingham, the first sustained air presence along the northern border.

* Senator Murray wrote legislation that created "Operation Safe Commerce." The program provided $75 million to the nation's three largest port centers - including Seattle and Tacoma - to monitor and track cargo. When the Administration threatened to "reprogram" nearly half the funding, Murray went to bat for Washington's ports, and extracted a commitment from then Homeland Security Secretary Ridge to fully fund Operation Safe Commerce.

* Senator Murray has worked closely with the Coast Guard and other Homeland Security officials to protect Washington state assets like the ferry system, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, dams, and other vulnerable sites and communities.

* Across the country, Coast Guard interagency operations centers were created to help the federal government, state and local agencies coordinate efforts on maritime security. Murray's work resulted in the Joint Harbor Operation Center operating from the Coast Guard base in Seattle.

* Senator Murray worked for increased funding for the FBI as it increased its intelligence and counter-terrorism roles.

Senator Murray is getting the resources for law enforcement to do their jobs and protect our communities.

"I have worked hard to give law enforcement the funding they need to protect and defend our communities against crime and drug use."

-- Senator Patty Murray

* Senator Murray is working with state and local police, firefighters and paramedics to help them obtain the resources they need to meet the new challenges of protecting our communities. She has also supported increased funding for the FBI to keep pace with their role in counter-terrorism and intelligence while using her position to ensure it does not veer away from its traditional law enforcement mission.

* Senator Murray was awarded the Congressional Recognition Award by the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) in honor of her work on homeland security issues. Washington State's Emergency Management Director Glen Woodbury said, "Senator Murray has always been an advocate of emergency management and community preparedness. Her wisdom and leadership have been a guiding force in achieving a safer environment for our citizens, communities and our nation."

* With the growing use of methamphetamines in Washington state, Senator Murray established a national center based in Pierce County to fight this serious addictive substance. She has stood behind comprehensive efforts to eliminate methamphetamine in every Washington country through the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative.

* Senator Murray funded local law enforcement task forces against gangs and drug crime and secured funding for partnerships to keep at-risk youth out of gangs.

* As Washington state tackles the increase of gang violence in its communities, Patty Murray has responded to this need by sponsoring legislation that provides resources to be used for prevention programs, law enforcement anti-gang efforts and a focus on at-risk youth for gang intervention efforts. The Gang Abatement and Prevention Act of 2009 is a comprehensive criminal bill to increase gang prosecution and prevention efforts at a time when they are needed most.

* Recognizing that high-profile events have an added strain on local first responders, Murray introduced The Local HERO's Grant act to provide resources to local agencies during national or international events like the 2010 Winter Olympics hosted by the City of Vancouver, British Columbia.

* Senator Murray fought to increase funds for first responder grants.

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