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July 26, 2002 HOUSE APPROVES HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT- Harman's Bipartisan Measures Help Shape Legislation - WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House of Representatives today passed legislation to create a new Cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security, by a vote of 295-132. Congresswoman Harman, Ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, authored several key provisions in the legislation. "It has been my top priority since September 11th to develop an integrated strategy and organization to protect our homeland," Harman stated. "President Eisenhower once said that 'the right organization does not guarantee success, but the wrong organization guarantees failure.' I would add that no organization guarantees chaos, a waste of scarce resources, and ultimately, continued vulnerability. Today's legislation creates an organization that will help make America safer." The bill consolidated 22 federal agencies into one new Department responsible for intelligence analysis and dissemination, science and technology, border and transportation security, and emergency preparedness and response. It also included an amendment offered by Representatives Harman and Rob Portman (R-OH) that creates a White House Homeland Security Council to coordinate programs of federal departments - including the FBI, CIA and DOD -- remaining outside the Department. "The Homeland Security Council will operate just as the National Security Council has done for 55 years," said Harman. Noting that information sharing failures in part allowed the 9/11 attacks, Harman worked to create a strong intelligence analysis center in the new Department and to ensure that reliable threat information gets shared across the government and down to first responders. Both improvements were included in the language passed by the House. Harman also co-authored language to leverage cutting edge technologies developed in the private sector (such as interoperable communications, sensors, data mining and sharing technologies). Working with Representatives Tom Davis (R-VA) and Chris Shays (R-CT), Harman's amendment established a clearinghouse in the new Department to solicit, review, and facilitate the deployment of necessary technologies. "Companies need this, and our security needs this," stated Harman. Harman also added language to the bill underscoring the priority to fund trauma care and burn care with funds distributed to the states under the recently-passed Bioterrorism Act. "Our response capability will be seriously diminished if hospitals like Harbor-UCLA have to close trauma and burn facilities," said Harman. "They need funds now." "This bill is not perfect -- but it contains many good ideas," she added. "More work lies ahead." ### Related Links:
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