FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Rep. DeGette Votes To Implement 9/11 Recommendations

Washington, D.C. – Chief Deputy Whip Diana DeGette (D-CO) voted for H.R. 1, Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007.

“Today, the new Democratic majority in the House took a major step toward improving the safety of all Americans by approving the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission,” said Representative DeGette. 

Rep. DeGette has consistently supported strong measures to provide for the homeland security of the United States.   She has conducted strategy sessions with first responders in Colorado and participated in field hearings on port security through her position on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

"The Republican Administration chose to largely ignore the 9/11 Commission recommendations and because of their inaction our nation is still not as safe as it should and must be,” said Rep. DeGette.   “Democrats are moving to fix that failure.  Our highest priority is to protect the American people by defending our homeland and strengthening national security.  By passing this critical bill we are doing just that.”

H.R. 1, includes a number of actions to substantially improve homeland security, including:

-- Reducing the potential access to materials for weapons of mass destruction;

-- Increasing the share of state homeland security grants provided on the basis of risk;

-- Phasing in a requirement of 100 percent inspection of air cargo over the next three years and 100 percent scanning of U.S.-bound shipping containers over the next five years;

-- Accelerating the installation of explosive detection systems in airports for checked baggage;

-- Strengthening the Privacy and Civil Liberties Board, removing the Board from the Executive Office of the President and making it an independent agency;

-- Promoting economic opportunities, education, human rights and democratic processes in the countries of the Middle East to prevent the rise of further terrorist acts and improve the standing of the United States in Muslim countries.

“Five years after the attacks of September 11^th, it is imperative our nation do everything in its power to prevent terrorist attacks from happening again,” Rep. DeGette said. “The 9/11 Commission provided solid recommendations to improve homeland security and I am proud the new leadership in Congress has made our nation’s safety its first priority.”

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