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In a post-September 11 world, it is necessary to take every precaution to ensure our country is not vulnerable to any future terrorist attack. On September 11, terrorists killed more Americans than were killed at Pearl Harbor by a coordinated military effort. We have an important responsibility to make sure existing weaknesses are fixed and any other potential vulnerability is identified and addressed.
This week the House will be wrapping up debate on legislation that will meet our country's urgent security challenges, strengthen port and border security and increase preparedness based on the lessons of Hurricane Katrina and September 11th. The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2007 will increase funding for port, container and cargo security. The bill provides $3.2 billion for first responders, including grants to high threat areas, firefighters and emergency management. It continues efforts to enhance security for all modes of transportation with a focus on developing and installing next generation technologies to inspect cargo, baggage and passengers. .
One of the most important parts of homeland security is border security. This bill goes a long way in increasing our ability to regain control of the borders so we can decide who enters our country. It provides $19.6 billion for border protection and immigration enforcement including more than $6 billion to add new Border Patrol agents and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Funds will be included in the bill to add almost five thousand detention beds and 28 additional fugitive operation teams. This bill will provide $273 million for transportation and removal of undocumented aliens,$46 million for alternatives to detention and $114 million to support immigration verification systems.
Increasing our security on a national level is vital, but we must also increase security and preparedness on a state level. Last week the Department of Homeland Security announced a grant worth over $19 million to help our state prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from major events. These funds will be used to minimize the impact on lives, property and the local economy. The grant money will be divided into five different categories: State Homeland Security Program, Law Enforcement Prevention Program, Urban Areas Security Initiative, Metropolitan Medical Response System and Citizen Corps Program.
America has already made quite a bit of progress. We have not experienced another terrorist attack on our soil since September 11, 2001--and not because terrorists haven't tried. Our law enforcement, intelligence community and first responders are doing a great job, but we still have a long way to go to secure our borders and protect our country from future attacks. I will be working in Congress to ensure that we make every possible effort to protect our country. |
