WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today asked Secretary Tom Ridge how the Department of Homeland Security plans to bolster the interior of the nation against potential terrorist attacks.  Emerson’s questions took place during the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security today.

 

“Congress has a heavy mandate to fulfil: to secure our entire nation against terrorist attacks and to make sure that, in the event of an attack, our first responders have the plan, equipment, and training to react,” Emerson said.

 

“In the heartland, we face a special set of challenges despite the fact that we are less likely to be targeted than dense urban areas on the coasts.  In the event of national or nearby disasters, smaller communities will most certainly be called upon to respond, just as was the case after September 11th.”

 

Emerson brought up the subject of interior waterways and ports during today’s hearing, stating to Secretary Ridge, “Interior ports are becoming increasingly important to our commerce as we see more volume on interior waterways.  This makes the 

infrastructure of interior ports critical to the economy of areas such as the district I represent.  I’m afraid that the interior ports have not received the same degree of focus and emphasis that our strategic seaports have enjoyed.  I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t start with our major coastal ports, but now that we have made progress
with them, isn’t it time to start funding improvements at the interior ports?  Also, does your recently announced critical infrastructure protection policy contain adequate flexibility to address these interior ports?”

 

Emerson also submitted questions for the record on Regional Information Sharing Centers and the distribution of grants to first responders.