Trent Lott: “If I could ask the indulgence of the majority leader briefly. With regard to the effort on the homeland security, 9/11…”

“If I could ask the indulgence of the majority leader briefly. With regard to the effort on the homeland security, 9/11 Commission recommendations, I think the concerns we have on this legislation were made very clear, laid out in the Congressional Record when the legislation was being considered. We want homeland security in America, but we also want to make sure the money we provide and what we authorize is done in a responsible and appropriate way. There is the possibility of gorging the system without getting a lot of results. I have flown to the different ports in this country and looked at port security and all the intermodal activities and the security that goes on there. More is being done than maybe some people realize. But also there were some labor provisions in this legislation that clearly needed to be worked out in order for this legislation to make it through the process. But I agree, hopefully we can get something worked out here where this legislation could perhaps get into conference and get it done before we leave for the Fourth of July. The conferees know where the problems are; if they would meet and get those problems worked out, then I think probably this legislation could be cleared. I just wanted to respond to the majority leader's concern. I understand how he feels and what he is trying to do, but I did want to put those comments and those thoughts on the record.”