HOMELAND SECURITY

As a former County Commissioner, State Senator, and now U.S. Representative for Florida, I know very well the unique challenges of securing our state. Through the years, I have found that border security, natural disasters, and critical infrastructure sites are the top issues we must keep in mind when developing both state and national security plans.
 
Terrorist attacks on our homeland have highlighted the potentially disastrous effects of porous borders and the need to bolster border security. The events on and following September 11 uncovered our vulnerability to attack on our soil, and exposed a new enemy with a desire to harm the United States and the American people. Our swift efforts at bolstering our domestic security have resulted in the prevention of further domestic incidents. It is this absence of occurrences that confirms our success. We cannot, however, become complacent in this success and must remain committed to securing our homeland.
 
As such, I have worked diligently to pass legislation that protects and strengthens our borders. On May 5, 2005, Congress passed H.R. 1268, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief. I was pleased to vote for this legislation, as it included recommendations on border security from the 9/11 Commission’s report.

H.R. 1268 strengthens our nation’s borders by deterring the illegal use of identification credentials. The legislation establishes standards for states issuing driver’s licenses, closing loopholes that currently exist in a number of states. For example, foreign individuals in California were previously able to get a driver’s license without a Social Security number. They could then use this license to get flight training or board airplanes without being questioned, as one of the 9/11 hijackers did. These lax standards are unacceptable. I am pleased that Congress acted so quickly on this matter to ensure the continued safety and security of our borders. 

Additionally, on May 17, 2005, I voted for an amendment by Representative Obey (D-WI) to the FY06 Homeland Security Appropriations bill that provides $100 million to fund grants under H.R. 1268 to assist States in conforming to the minimum drivers' license standards.

We must also protect our critical infrastructure sites from those that wish to do harm to us. Therefore, Congress instituted landmark chemical security regulations, standardizing different facilities' security measures and giving DHS the authority to shut down high-risk plants for non-compliance as part of H.R. 5441, the FY07 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will now create a system for monitoring high-risk facilities, requiring vulnerability assessments and site security plans.

A post-9/11 world demands increased security at our nation’s borders, airports, and ports.  The gateways to our great nation, these places of entry are prime outlets for terrorists to break through our defenses.  But our ports have been somewhat of a neglected stepchild in recent efforts to bolster border and airport security.  This past year, a failed attempt by a United Arab Emirates owned company to take over management of several U.S. ports brought to light several problems with our port security such as cargo screening and inspections and employee background checks.

As such, I joined my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA) and Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA), as an original cosponsor of H.R. 4954, the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act.  This legislation will require DHS to conduct 100% radiation screening of cargo containers, check port employees against terrorist watch lists, require joint operations centers at seaports, and engage in thorough security assessments of foreign ports shipping to the United States.  In addition, the bill expands tracking and protection of cargo traveling to our shores.  These provisions will make great strides in protecting America’s ports.

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 4954 on May 4, 2006, by a vote of 421-2.  The Senate likewise passed the bill on September 14, 2006 and on October 13, 2006 the President signed it into law.  Congress cannot afford to leave any part of our land and maritime borders vulnerable and I am pleased at the progress we have made on this issue.  Rest assured I will continue to work diligently on port security issues to keep Americans safe.

Over the last few years, we have greatly increased security at our nations airports but there is still work to be done. You may be surprised to know that airports are not currently checking airport workers' immigration status when they do background checks for employment.  The Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement at DHS has found many different illegal aliens working at our airports all over the country at various times during raids, including some at the Tampa Airport a few years ago.  I think this policy is too dangerous to continue guiding employment at our airports.  As such, I am working on legislation that would require officials to conduct an immigration check on potential employees and require U.S. citizenship for employment. In order to ensure the safety of the traveling public, we cannot afford to leave this loophole open any longer.

Unfortunately, the post-9/11 world in which we live has forced us to give up a lot of the comfort and enjoyment in traveling in the name of security.  I am often nostalgic for the “simpler days” when we did not have to worry about elaborate terror plots against passenger airplanes.  I have every hope that one day we will not need the kind of vigilance we must now keep. 

The events of September 11, 2001, marked this country and its people.  However, the terrorists who strive to destroy our way of life have greatly underestimated the resolve of the American people.  We are united and strong, and I am confident we will prevail over our enemies.  As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure we have the proper tools and programs in place to keep Americans safe.

My foremost duty representing Florida’s Fifth District is to ensure that our borders are secure and that we are protected from all enemies, foreign and domestic. If Congress fails in defending our nation, nothing else will matter.