Dianne Feinstein: “I thank both Senator Collins and Senator Lieberman, and particularly Senators Cornyn, Schumer, Lautenberg, and Martinez…”

“I thank both Senator Collins and Senator Lieberman, and particularly Senators Cornyn, Schumer, Lautenberg, and Martinez, who spoke on behalf of our amendment. Let me make clear, our amendment does not in any way, shape, or form, we believe, interfere with the authorizing committee. The authorizing committee has the absolute right to set whatever standards it might want to in operations. What we are trying to do is see that this huge new bureaucracy, which has been set up under the Department of Homeland Security, with all of its robust new intelligence capabilities, is able to put forward a plan and have that plan be funded, and that plan will be based on risk and threat and vulnerability. And, in fact, that is what Secretary Chertoff says in his letter to us, that he and the President want at least 90 percent of the funds devoted on a risk, threat, and vulnerability basis. He also says they have come up with 36 essential capabilities they believe are critical in preventing another terrorist attack. I don't think we should go to 60-40. I truly don't believe places should get money just to increase whatever it is they can increase with their own funds. I really believe that because the money is limited, it has to go to places where there are risks, where we know there are targets, where these targets have figured actionable intelligence that has reached us. So that is what we try to do. Let me summarize once again.…”