Congressman Joe Baca
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CONGRESSMAN BACA FIGHTS FOR HOMELAND SECURITY

Working together with the President and most members of Congress, Congressman Baca:

  • Funding the War: As a veteran and former Airborne, I believe that our men and women in uniform must be given the tools to succeed in this war on terrorism. I have even broken ranks with members of my own party to support bills that I thought would better ensure the safety of our nation. I voted for the Cost Of War Against Terrorism Authorization Act of 2002, Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act, 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act For Further Recovery From And Response To Terrorist Attacks On The United States, and a host of other bills that strengthen our homeland security.
  • Voted to Approve a Military War on the Terrorists: Congress authorized the President to use all necessary force against those nations, organizations or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred. Congressman Baca continues to support these actions and knows that we must be patient until the time when we have achieved full success. Congressman Baca also supports beefing up intelligence operations so we can find those responsible for the September 11th attacks, the anthrax letters, and prevent future terrorist strikes before they happen.
  • Joined the Task Force on Homeland Security: As a member of the Democratic Taskforce on Homeland Security, Congressman Baca assisted in the drafting of various bills to combat terrorism, shore up domestic security, and protect our population from bioterrorism.
  • Emergency Disaster Funding: Right after September 11th, Congress voted for a $40 billion federal package that responds to the disasters and provides assistance to the victims of the attacks and another measure to provide tax relief for victims.
  • Baca Supports Financial War on the Terrorists: Congressman Baca voted for the "Financial Services Antifraud Network Act of 2001" to help choke off the financial networks that fund terrorism. It is part of the overall battle to fight terrorism at every level.
  • Baca Unveils the Community Partners Neighborhood Preservation Act of 2002: This bill would allow first responders such as firefighters, emergency medial technicians, and rescue personnel to also qualify for discounted home sales through the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office Next Door Program.
  • Baca Unveils Airline Security Act of 2001: The American people deserve to know they are safe when they are at our airports or in the air, Californians and all Americans deserve to have well trained, professional, law enforcement officers at every airport and a security system that is the best in the world. The Airline Security Act will:

    1. Promote the development of facial recognition technology and other methods of automated passenger profiling to ensure that security systems are focused on appropriate targets;

    2. Require fingerprints on visas, anti-hijacking training for pilots and flight attendants, and limitation of air passengers to one piece of carry-on baggage;

    3. Mandate installation of panic buttons in aircraft cockpits to be used in the event of a hijacking;

    4. Mandate the acceleration of the development of anthrax and small pox vaccines, as well as other vaccines;

    5. Require the installation of video cameras in aircraft to record a picture of every passenger that enters the aircraft;

    6. Impose background checks on hazardous haulers and on individuals seeking training as a pilot.

  • Voted On Various Terrorism, September 11th, and Homeland Security Bills: Congressman Baca was unwavering in his support of a multitude of legislative bills related to the September 11th attacks and our national defense response. Following is a complete list of these votes:

YES   HR 4547Cost of War Against Terrorism Authorization Act of 2002
 
YESHR 3609Pipeline Infrastructure Protection to Enhance Security and Safety Act
 
YESHRES 492 Expressing gratitude for the 10-month World Trade Center cleanup and recovery efforts at the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island, New York, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001
 
YESHR 3482Cyber Security Enhancement Act
 
YESHR 4635Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act
 
YESHR 5011Military Construction Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2003
 
YESHR 47752002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery From and Response To Terrorist Attacks on the United States
 
YESHRES 424Paying Tribute to the Workers at Ground Zero in New York
 
YESHR 3448Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act
 
YESHR 3994Afghanistan Freedom Support Act
 
YESHR 3375Embassy Employee Compensation Act
 
YESHR 2998Radio Free Afghanistan Act
 
YESHR 3394Cyber Security Research and Development Act
 
YESHJRES 61Expressing the sense of the Senate and House of Representatives regarding the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on Sept. 11, 2001
 
YESHR 2882To provide for the expedited payment of certain benefits for a public safety officer who was killed or suffered a catastrophic injury as a direct result of a personal injury sustaned in the line of duty in connection with the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
 
YESHR 2884Victims of Terrorism Relief Act of 2001
 
YESHR 28882001 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States
 
YESHJRES 64To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States.
 
YESHR 2926Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act
 
YESHR 2986Department of Defense Authorization for Fiscal Year 2002
 
YESHJRES 42Memorializing fallen firefighters by lowering the American flag to half-staff in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emittsburg, Maryland.
 
YESHJRES 250Urging the Secretary of Energy to Fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
 
YESHR 2975Patriot Act to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes.
 
YESHCONRES 248  Expressing the Sense of the Congress that Public Schools May Display the Words "God Bless America" as an Expression of Support for the Nation
 
YESHR 3004Financial Anti-Terrorism Act
 
YESHR 3160Bioterrorism Enforcement Act of 2001
 
YESHR 3162To deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world
 
YESHJRES 71Amending Title 36, United States Code, to designate September 11 as Patriot Day
 
YESHCONRES 243Expressing the Sense of Congress that the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor should be presented to the Public Safety Officers who have perished and those who deserve special recognition for outstanding valor above and beyond the call of duty in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001
 
YESHCONRES 233Expressing the Profound Sorrow of the Congress for the Death and Injuries Suffered by the First Responders to the Terrorist Attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001
 
YESHR 1408Financial Services Antifraud Network Act
 
YESHR 2998Radio Free Afghanistan Act
 
YESHR 2500Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations for FY 2002
 
YESHCONRES 257Expressing the sense of the Congress that the men and women of the United States Postal Service have done an outstanding job of delivering the mail during this time of national emergency.
 
YESHCONRES 228Expressing the sense of the Congress that the children who lost one or both parents or guardian in the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedies should be provided with all necessary assistance
 
YESS 1447Aviation Security Act
 
YESHR 3338Department of Defense Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2002
 
YESS 1438National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002
 
YESHR 3054True American Heroes Act
YESHR 3275Terrorist Bombings Convention Implementation Act
 
YESHJRES 75Regarding the Monitoring of Weapons Development in Iraq, as Required by United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 (April 3, 1991)

I have also cosponsored legislation in support of our homeland security:

H.Con.Res. 227 (Bonior). Condemning bigotry and violence against Arab, Muslim, and South Asian Americans in the wake of the terrorist attacks in NYC, NY, and DC on September 11, 2001.

H.Con.Res. 228 (Jackson Lee). Expressing the sense of the Congress that the children who lost one or both parents or a guardian in the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center and Pentagon tragedies (including the aircraft crash in Somerset County, Pennsylvania) should be provided with all necessary assistance, services, and benefits and urging the heads of Federal agencies responsible for providing such assistance, services and benefits to give the highest possible priority to providing such assistance, services and benefits to those children.

H.Con.Res. 230 (Wynn). Expresses the Sense of the Congress establishing September 11th as a National Day of Remembrance to honor the victims and heroes of this tragedy.

H.Con.Res. 232 (Fletcher). Honors the courageous passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93.

H.Con Res. 243 (Crowley). Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor should be presented to the public safety officers who have perished and select other public safety officers who deserve special recognition for outstanding valor above and beyond the call of duty in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001.

H.Con. Res. 250 (Lee). Honors the U.S. Capitol Police for their outstanding work and dedication during the period of heightened security needs on and after September 11th.

H.Res.255 (Honda). Condemning bigotry and violence against Sikh Americans in the wake of terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.

H.Res. 287 (Forbes). Honors the National Guard and Reserve for their critical role in homeland security and Operation Enduring Freedom.

H. Res. 300 (Solis). Expressing the sense of the House that the President should release emergency funding under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program in view of the large number of people who lost their jobs or suffered prolonged unemployment due to the weak economy or as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

H.R. 2902 (Velazquez) Allows taxpayers to designate that part or all of any income tax refund be paid over to a Phoenix Fund for Victim Assistance.

H.R. 2907 (Capps) Provides for the issuance of a semipostal for the benefit of victims of the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.

H.R. 2946 (Hastings). Provides assistance to employees who suffer loss of employment in the airlineindustry as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

H.R. 2955 (Gephardt). The Displaced Workers Assistance Act: Provides financial assistance, training, and health care coverage to employees of the airline and related industries who lose their jobs as a result of the attacks on September 11, 2001.

H.R. 2982 (Turner). Authorizing the establishment of a memorial within the area in the District of Columbia referred to in the Commemorative Works Act as "Area I" or "Area II" to the victims of terrorist attacks on the United States, to provide for the design and construction of such a memorial.

H.R. 2998 (Royce) Authorizes the establishment of Radio Free Afghanistan.

H.R. 3022 (Cardin). Provides for a program of temporary enhanced unemployment benefits.

H.R. 3026 (Gibbons). Gives Director Ridge the authority to reject the terrorism-related budgets of the more than 40 federal departments and agencies involved in homeland security. Establishes an Office of Homeland Security within the Executive Office of the President to lead, oversee, and coordinate a comprehensive national homeland security strategy to safeguard the Nation.

H.R. 3029(Inslee). Requires that all baggage on airplane be screened.

H.R. 3035 (Millender-McDonald). Terrorism Threat to Public Transportation Assessment Act of 2001:Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct an assessment of terrorist-related threats to all forms of public transportation.

H.R. 3051 (Green). Designates "God Bless America" as the national hymn of the United States.

H.R.3054 (King). Awards congressional gold medals on behalf of the officers, emergency workers, and other employees of the Federal Government and any State or local government, including any interstate governmental entity, who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and perished in the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

H.R. 3067 (Harman) Directs the Secretary of Transportation give certain workers who have lost their jobs as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, priority in hiring for aviation-related security positions.

H.R. 3088 (Gilman). "Afghan Freedom Act of 2001" Contributes to the defense of the United States against future terrorist attack by providing for the removal from power of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan

H.R. 3115 (Bentsen). Waives postage on donations to "America's Fund For Afghan Children" to allow kids to send one dollar to the children of Afganistan.

H.R. 3143 (Reynolds). Encourages the patronage of the travel, hospitality, restaurant, and entertainment industries in New York post Sept. 11th.

H.R. 3161 (Larson). To direct the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide grants to local governments and emergency response units to develop plans for a clearly defined and coordinated response to emergencies, and to provide grants to police and fire departments for counterterrorism training.

H.R. 3163 (McCarthy). Provides student loan forgiveness to the surviving spouses of the victims of the September 11, 2001, tragedies.

H.R. 3178 (Boehlert). Meets immediate and long-term needs of America's drinking water and wastewater management officials in preventing, mitigating, and responding to chemical, biological, physical and cyber acts of terrorism.

H.R. 3194 (Capuano). Anthrax Victims Assistance Act. Provides compensation for victims of anthrax attacks.

H.R.3217 (Ford). Allow consumers a temporary 2-week grace period for payment of bills due to the extraordinary circumstances resulting from the disruptions and general uncertainty surrounding United States mail, and for other purposes.

H.R.3219 (Linder). Enables the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to carry out its responsibilities efficiently, including with regard to responding to bioterrorism, by authorizing additional appropriations for designing, constructing, and equipping new facilities and renovating existing facilities of such Centers, and for other purposes.

H.R. 3244 (Engel). The "Spirit of America" Commemorative Coin Act: Creates a "Spirit of America" coin act commemorating the victims of Tuesday, September 11th's terrorist attacks.

H.R. 3255 (Menendez). Addresses the threat of bioterrorism in America.

H.R. 3294 (McCarthy). Provides for the distribution of assets frozen pursuant to Executive Order 13224 and similar Executive orders to the State of New York, the State of Pennsylvania, and the Department of Defense to cover cleanup and reconstruction costs associated with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

H.R.3341 (McDermott). Provides a short-term enhanced safety net for Americans losing their jobs and to provide our Nation's economy with a necessary boost by expanding unemployment compensation and health insurance coverage along with Medicaid relief.

HR 3414 (King). The State Budget Relief Act of 2001 to provide immediate assistance to states to help finance increases in enrollment due to rising unemployment and previous reductions.

H.R. 3491 (Hart). Ballistic Imaging Evaluation and Study Act. To conduct a study on the effectiveness of ballistic imaging technology and evaluate its effectiveness as a law enforcement tool.

H.R.3555 (Menendez). (Homeland Security Taskforce) (2nd bill)

UPDATED - September 12, 2002