Tuesday, January 9, 2007                                                                            Printable Version (PDF)

 

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-5) voted in favor of H.R. 1, which will implement some of the long-overdue recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.  She issued the following statement expressing her support:

 

“As I have stated on numerous occasions, national security is our highest priority.  By passing these long-overdue 9/11 Commission recommendations today, we will be taking significant steps towards better protecting our country.  This means scanning all air cargo loaded onto passenger planes and seaborne cargo containers shipped into the United States, as well as encouraging intelligence information sharing among federal, state and local agencies.

 

“Further, it will increase the share of state homeland security grants provided to our communities, based on risk – an issue of particular concern to my home state of California.  The current formula results in 40 percent of funding equally distributed to each state with the remainder allocated based on risk.  With H.R. 1, each state is guaranteed a minimum of .25% of funding, while states that share an international border, or are connected to a body of water with an international border would receive at least .45%. This strikes a balance between risk-based allocations and ensuring a funding minimum for all states.  Another result of this new distribution is that more funding will be directed towards essential programs such as the Urban Area Security Initiative, the State Homeland Security Grant program and the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention program. 

 

“Concerns have also been raised about the gaps in the Department of Homeland Security’s critical infrastructure asset database.  Over the past year, I have repeatedly highlighted overlooked infrastructure with DHS, which led to the Department making changes to the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant.  This bill will begin to close this gap by requiring annual assessments of information regarding critical infrastructure and the creation of a regularly updated asset databases. 

 

“As I have repeatedly stated, the federal government needs to do its job of protecting the American people.  Part of that is providing leadership by setting standards as incorporated in H.R. 1 and the other is to provide resources. 

 

“Madam Speaker, Congress has had far too long to implement these critical reforms recommended by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.  I am pleased to be able to vote today in favor of H.R. 1.  I know that these reforms will direct our limited federal funds toward areas facing higher threats, and ensure further safety standards for our transportation systems.  Through H.R. 1 we will ensure that our country is better protected against and prepared for any future terrorist attack.” 

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