Homeland Security

It's important that we set up a tribunal that is fair. No matter how despicable the individual, no matter how heinous the crime committed, it is still the right thing to do to set up a tribunal that is fair. These tribunals will be unique, in that they'll be the first conducted in an atmosphere in which the war is continuing to go on. Previous tribunals have always been conducted after the cessation of hostilities, but with this one we have to accommodate a continuing fight against the bad guys.

The commissions that were set up under this legislation will provide the defendant or the accused with a lawyer and with an opportunity, in most instances, to confront the evidence that is being presented against him. There may be some rare exceptions where classified information will have to be protected. The legislation sets up a due process that hopefully will strike a balance between providing the accused with the right to a fair and full trial while at the same time protecting America from its enemies.

I was concerned about that particular aspect of it but voted for the legislation even with that reservation after receiving assurances from Chairman Duncan Hunter to continue to work on the new system. In addition, there are three levels of appeal that allow the defendant a fair and full trial.

I hope we will finish work on a bill that President Bush can sign so that we can begin the hard work of convicting of crimes that they have committed against the United States and our allies.

Government contracts worth over $762 billion for initiatives like homeland security, Iraq reconstruction, and Hurricane Katrina recovery have been plagued by significant fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement under the Bush Administration. And it’s not hard to see why.

Under the Bush Administration and Republican Congress, no-bid contracts have been the rule, not the exception, and well-connected contractors with poor performance have received large award fees. Abuse prone cost-plus contracts have given contractors little or no incentive to control costs. And “layer cake

As we commemorated the anniversary of one of America's darkest days, I was reminded of the thin line between discussing our national security and playing politics with those who would harm Americans. This past week, and indeed, these past five years have shown us the harsh reality that the President and his Administration are simply playing politics.

Instead of finding out what happened on that day five years ago, the Administration worked to thwart the efforts of the 9/11 Commission. Instead of pursuing Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, they allowed him to escape. Instead of implementing the homeland security recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, they passed laws restricting civil liberties. They've failed to secure the borders, failed to inspect cargo that passes through our ports, and failed to reach out to allies who could help us track down and corner those who wish us harm. Instead of focusing our resources on preventing the spread of terrorism, the Administration lied, fabricated, and mislead us into a war with a country that had nothing to do with the terrorists who attacked us. Moreover, they sent our troops into harm's way without sufficient numbers, adequate body armor, or even a plan to establish peace after the invasion.

Most of all, they have failed to understand that our national security depends upon far more than just the bombs on the wings of an airplane. It is the combined effect of all of our national strengths—military, economic, cultural, and diplomatic. If our experience in the Cold War taught us anything, it is that the combined effect of these forces is far more powerful than any one alone. We did not defeat the Soviet Union with military power alone, nor will we be able to bomb our way through the great threats of the modern world. We must employ the same, combined, coordinated approach that so effectively tore down the Iron Curtain and bring to bear the full might of the United States if we are to continue to be a leading force in the world.

Yet, despite this essential truth, this Administration insists upon staying a broken and badly misguided course. We are fighting the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time against the wrong enemy—and for the wrong reasons. We need a new course and that must begin by accepting the facts on the ground. Iraq is in a state of civil war, the broader Middle-East is badly destabilized, Osama bin Laden is operating freely, and we have no viable plan to fix any of these problems. We must immediately begin to redeploy our troops to resume the hunt for al-Qa'ida. We must work for a political solution in Iraq, drawing upon the lessons of Bosnia to establish three separate, semi-autonomous regions. Lastly, we must repair the broken alliances around the world—alliances that will give us the broad reach to hunt down and capture terrorists no matter where they hide—and restore the United States to our place as the leader, and the hope, of all nations.

I saw Nancy Pelosi's comments that capturing Osama Bin Laden would not make us safer. And I had one thought: "What a quack." Based on her logic, Hitler should've been a low-priority target during World War II. In the run-up to November, this is one of the hundreds of reasons Americans must consider WWPD - What Would Pelosi Do?

The protection and security of our people is the paramount duty of government. And, if President Bush won't stand up for our safety, I will. Today, my campaign unveiled a new television ad highlighting my commitment to homeland security.

After 9/11, I chaired the House Democratic Task Force on Homeland Security. I was one of the first advocates to call for the Department of Homeland Security. I was a strong supporter of the creation of the 9/11 Commission, and was one of the first to propose fully implementing its recommendations - including risk-based funding that would increase New Jersey's homeland security dollars. That legislation was defeated by Bush Republicans in a party line vote.

I played a key role in getting subsequent legislation passed. In fact, 9/11 Commission Chairman Tom Kean Sr. and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton personally wrote to me hailing my dedication to implementing the commission's recommendations: "We strongly believe that, as a result of your and others' commitment and dedication to reform, the American people are safer and more secure." Read more...

In February of 2005, as Chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), I opened an inquiry into radical environmental and animal rights groups who use criminally-based activism in an effort to influence public policy. Groups such as the Earth Liberation Front ("ELF"), the Animal Liberation Front ("ALF"), and Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty ("SHAC"), to name a few, use crimes of violence like arson, bombings, and property destruction to frighten individuals, companies, and governments into abandoning work affecting the environment or animals. This is the textbook definition of terrorism and is crime punishable by current law.

However, after taking testimony through two EPW Committee hearings from multiple victims, officials from the FBI, DOJ and the educational and scientific communities, it became painfully obvious that many of these extremists' tactics were, in fact, not addressed by current law. I am referring to a sophisticated form of fear-based activism using threats, stalking, harassment, and intimidation to frighten those away from their work on animals. These fear generating tactics are directed not only at a person or company working with animals but also at those that simply do business with or have some connection to those working with animals. This is also terrorism and, unfortunately, is not adequately covered by today's laws.

Animal rights extremists dawning fatigues and hoods, equipped with bullhorns regularly appear in the darkness of night threatening the lives of families. Cutting power and phone lines, bashing in front doors, and throwing bricks through windows are just some of the preliminary things regularly done in an effort to force an unsuspecting CEO to decide to drop a client simply because they want the harassment to end. This is how it starts. Hold out, due to your principles, and quickly you will find a website calling for a "direct action" to be committed upon you with your home address and your children's names, schools, and soccer schedules posted on it. Read more...

Five years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the destruction of the World Trade Center is still claiming victims. Huge numbers of the thousands of rescue and recovery workers who gave their time, skills, and strength at Ground Zero in the days, weeks, and months that followed the attacks have since developed serious respiratory health problems. A Mount Sinai Medical Center study released just last week shows that 70 percent of Ground Zero workers exposed to the site's toxic dust and debris have developed new or worsened illnesses since 2001.

This alarming study highlights the still-urgent need for congressional investigations into the safety and health of Ground Zero workers and first responders in general. Yet the Republican leadership of the House Education and Workforce Committee, the committee with primary jurisdiction over worker safety issues, has refused to hold even a single hearing on this issue, despite repeated requests for hearings by Democrats on the committee. It is beyond shameful that Republican leaders on our committee have not devoted any time to the severe health problems afflicting Ground Zero workers, especially since our committee has not had hearings scheduled on more than 70 percent of the days that Congress was in session over the past three years.

Other lawmakers have recognized the gravity of this issue. In fact, a House Government Reform subcommittee held a field hearing on Ground Zero workers' health on Friday. However, without the attention of the proper committee with oversight and expertise on worker safety issues, many critical questions remain unanswered. It is long past time for the Education and the Workforce Committee to hold hearings.

As the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina continues to remind us, first responders, relief workers, and volunteers play key roles in times of emergency, whether terrorist attacks or natural disasters. We rely on these courageous workers to save lives and rebuild communities. In turn, they must be able to count on their government to minimize the risks they face while on the job. Ensuring their health and safety - a matter of national security - should be one of Congress' highest priorities.

Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the September 11th attacks. That day will be recorded as one of the most tragic and horrific in the history of our nation. September 11th, 2001 was a day when we once again lost our innocence. On the morning of September 11, 2001, every American woke up to a new kind of terror and a life forever changed. On the fifth anniversary of that dark Tuesday in September, it is important to remember the innocent Americans who lost their lives, the first responders who sacrificed their lives for others, and our men and women in uniform who risk their lives every day for the sake of freedom.

For far too long, we lived in a dream world; unaware of the ruthlessness of those who wished to do us harm. The days and weeks that followed the attack were filled with sorrow and a sense of patriotism not felt since the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The events of September 11th forced us to commit ourselves to our security and the long fight against terrorism.

The Global War on Terror started long before September 11, 2001. Prior to that day, the terrorists were on the offensive around the world, but rarely did it affect our daily lives. But when terror arrived on our doorstep, that role was quickly reversed. This war is unlike any war we have fought. The American people have learned that freedom does not come without cost, hardship and heartbreak. There are setbacks, and there is criticism, but we will continue to be steadfast in our mission until the terrorist insurgents are defeated.

We have made great progress in the last 5 years to protect our way of life. We have captured many key terrorist leaders linked to the September 11th attacks, helped thwart other terror plots both at home and around the world, including the most recent foiled attack in London, and helped liberate more than 50 million people in Afghanistan and Iraq. But the Global War on Terror is far from over and will be a struggle for years to come. We must never forget the events of that gruesome day and we must stay diligent to never back down in this fight. Today should be a day of hope and healing. It is an opportunity to pay tribute to the men, women, and children who perished on that day, as well as to honor those who continue to keep us safe and lead our global fight against Islamic Jihadists.

Today, most of us find ourselves asking the same questions. Where was I, what was I doing on September 11, 2001? How has my life, my country, and my world changed?  Like many people, I will never forget where I was that day.  I was in the Capitol when the attacks occurred.  After the second plane hit the World Trade Center, I quickly left the Capitol and could see smoke coming from the Pentagon.  I knew then that this was going to be one of the worst days in our country's history.

This tragedy will continue to shape our nation for generations to come. It's hard to believe it has already been five years since that painful day.  Have we learned our lessons? Have the actions of the heroes on that day, and the heroes that have followed them, set an example for us? Are we doing what needs to be done to keep our nation, our families, our way of life safe? These are weighty questions. The answers may mean the difference between another day of infamy, or a nightmare averted. Unfortunately the answer to all of these questions is no.

We must do everything in our power to ensure there is never a repeat of September 11, 2001, or anything even remotely like it. We must be vigilant. We must be responsible. We must hunt down and destroy those who wish to do us harm. And we must not let misguided priorities impede our ability to address real threats to our national security.

The security on our borders is not strong enough. Our transit systems, commercial airliners, and ports are not safe enough. Our chemical and nuclear plants are still vulnerable targets. First responders and emergency service personnel do not have the equipment they need. And our resources are stretched thin, when they should be focused on eliminating Osama bin Laden and the terrorist network responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

We must fulfill our first responsibility as elected officials, to secure our nation and protect our people, our families, and our future.  It is long past time we fully implement the independent 9/11 Commission's recommendations.  We must make better use of technology to stay ahead of those who would attack us while encouraging more innovation in dealing with all facets of terrorism.  It is our duty to honor those we lost and make the real changes that will truly protect the American people.

While there is plenty of speculation on what it will take to secure our borders, there has unfortunately been a scarcity of any real field research with specific recommendations based on findings. I hope the delivery of this report on the northern border to the respective chairmen will provide some factual data of use in legislative planning, and will foster additional detailed, non-partisan field research. At some point we have to abandon rhetoric and start adopting practical solutions to address our startling lack of real border security.


(One of the better protected of the estimated 1,000 remote rural unguarded road crossings on the northern border - by virtue of a steel gate secured with a chain)