WASHINGTON D.C. - Rep. Harman, Ranking Member on the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, issued the following statement today:

“With today’s proposal to establish a Department of Homeland Security, the President has expanded the war against terrorism to a war against turf. It is to be expected that Federal agencies and Congressional Committees that stand to lose power and budget will resist. But, this proposal is bold and courageous, and will require the President to expend personal political capital to enact it.

“The President’s proposal is the largest organizational change in the federal government since the National Security Act of 1947, a law that set up our current organization to protect against threats overseas. Our homeland is now threatened and our response must be commensurate.

“A bipartisan group in Congress has urged since October that the Director of Homeland Security be given statutory and budgetary authority. The President’s plan does this. It gives responsibility for coordinating and implementing a homeland security strategy to a cabinet secretary and ensures accountability to the American people.

Congresswoman Harman and Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) discuss the President's proposal to establish a Department of Homeland Security