Mike Thompson: “it is indeed true that today we begin consideration of the most significant reorganization of the executive branch in…”

“it is indeed true that today we begin consideration of the most significant reorganization of the executive branch in over 50 years. Not since the creation of the Department of Defense and the creation of the national intelligence apparatus in the National Security Act of 1947 has the Senate considered such a massive restructuring of Federal agencies. Just as World War II and the start of the cold war demonstrated the need to reorganize our defense and intelligence establishment, the terrorist attacks of September 11 demonstrate the need to reorganize our homeland security establishment to address the threat of terrorism and other types of asymmetric warfare against our country and against our people. I start by acknowledging and thanking Senator Lieberman, the manager of the bill, for his leadership on this issue. He was an early supporter of legislation to reorganize the executive branch to confront emerging threats against our country. He recognized what needed to be done and has worked hard to get us to the point where we are today. While we have some disagreements in some important areas, in the end we both believe that the creation of a new Department of Homeland Security is needed to make this country safe.”