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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Marion Berry (D-AR, 1st) expressed serious concerns today after reviewing the 9/11 Commission's final report card on our country's level of security. The commission, which released its report yesterday, criticized the Bush Administration and Congress for failing to implement critical improvements in our nation's defenses and issued a D, F, or an incomplete grade on nearly half of its 41 original recommendations.
"I can't count the number of times I have called on the President and the Republican Leadership in Congress to do something to increase funding for our first responders, and strengthen border, port, and airline security," said Congressman Berry. "At some point the President needs to stand up and accept leadership on this issue. Congress has given him everything he has asked for to get this job done. We simply cannot accept a failing grade when the President has the resources to keep this country safe."
The 10-member bipartisan 9/11 Commission spent a year studying the September 11th attacks and preparing a series of recommendations to improve the security of the country. The report card released yesterday, measured the federal government's progress in enacting those original recommendations. The commission gave the federal government failing marks in areas like airline passenger screening, improving first responders' communication system, identifying weapons of mass destruction, and sharing intelligence and terrorism information among government agencies.
Although Congressman Berry agreed with the majority of the commission's findings, he continues to warn government leaders against changing the formula for first responder funds. The commission has repeatedly urged Congress to change the first responder grant program to increase funding for urban areas. The proposed changes would lower the guaranteed level of funding for each state from .75% to .25% or .45% for states with a significant international border, and distribute the remaining funds using a formula that favors risk.
"We can't outsmart terrorists or mother nature by putting all of our resources into our largest cities," said Congressman Berry. "The best defense we have is to make sure every city and town in America meets a minimum level of preparedness. Although we can't predict the next disaster, we can make sure our first responders have the tools in hand to keep citizens safe."
Congressman Berry is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security which oversees funding decisions for the Department of Homeland Security. He remains a strong supporter of programs that help communities better prepare for natural and man-made disasters. |
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