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Ryan Supports Creation of Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – First District Congressman Paul Ryan today voted in favor of H.R. 5005 – the Homeland Security Act of 2002 – which creates a new federal Department of Homeland Security. This measure passed in the U.S. House of Representatives this evening by a vote of 295-132. Ryan noted that the legislation streamlines and strengthens the nation’s terrorism defense and response structure, making Americans safer, while at the same time protecting civil liberties in crucial ways.

"This legislation looks out for citizens’ civil liberties, while making much needed improvements in our domestic defense and terrorism preparedness," Ryan said. "Right now, we have a lot of government agencies working in different ways to protect our borders and respond to emergencies. This bill brings many of these people together under one ‘roof’ to get them working together more efficiently and eliminating duplication of efforts."

"To mount an effective defense of our homeland, our government needs to pursue a clear, unified strategy," Ryan said. "The new Department of Homeland Security should provide the needed direction and improve communication among agencies tasked with domestic defense."

The legislation creates a Department of Homeland Security to bring together the disparate elements of our nation’s home front defense and improve coordination among these agencies. Specifically, the legislation brings the following under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security:

• the law enforcement and border security functions of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Immigrant service functions will remain at the Department of Justice.)
• the U.S. Coast Guard
• the Customs Service (Revenue functions of the Customs Service collecting agents will remain in the Treasury Department, but the overall agency will be transferred to the Homeland Security Department.)
• the Transportation Security Administration
• personnel who conduct border inspections with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
• the Secret Service
• the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• four offices from the Department of Health and Human Services that deal with preparedness and response

In addition, under this legislation, the State Department and consular officials will continue to issue visas, but they will do so under rules established by the Department.

The Homeland Security bill also contains vital provisions that protect Americans’ civil liberties. Of particular importance, the legislation prohibits two proposals Rep. Ryan opposes. It prohibits the national ID card or system, and implementation of the White House-proposed "TIPS Program" that was slated to become part of the Citizens’ Corps. The TIPS Program would have been a nationwide system for reporting suspicious and potentially terrorist-related activity operated by a network of citizen volunteers. Rep. Ryan has concerns that this program could encourage Americans to spy on other Americans without reason or legal authority.

Other elements of the Homeland Security measure that will help the new Department of Homeland Security achieve its mission include:

• The establishment of an Intelligence Analysis Center, which will operate from within the Department of Homeland Security and enable better sharing of information between intelligence agencies;

• Allows the Secretary of Homeland Security some flexibility to ensure that employees are deployed where they are most needed and that incompetent employees are reprimanded or removed from duty;

• Establishes a Homeland Security Research Center at one of the national laboratories of the National Nuclear Security Administration for homeland security research;

• Allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to use any federally funded research and development center in the public or private sector to support homeland security research and conduct independent analysis on those topics;

• Establishes a university-based center or centers to assist in training first responders and conducting research in a variety of areas related to homeland security including bio- and agro-terrorism;

• Allows for the Executive Office of Homeland Security to remain open for the President’s counsel;

• Authorizes a Homeland Security Council with membership that includes most administration secretaries and the President and Vice President, and establishes communication between the Homeland Security Council and the National Security Council.

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