Mike Thompson: “I think it is pretty obvious now that there is almost unanimity that we need to proceed with the homeland security…”

“I think it is pretty obvious now that there is almost unanimity that we need to proceed with the homeland security bill-- unanimity in this body. There is disagreement as to whether we ought to get about doing it or whether we should delay it. I think that is the fundamental issue with regard to this amendment. This amendment that has been offered by the Senator from West Virginia would basically postpone the implementation of the new Department for at least a year. The President's proposals in the House and Senate bills all establish directorates. They list responsibilities, transfer funds to agencies. Senator Byrd strikes from the Lieberman substitute all language spelling out responsibilities and transfers of functions for each directorate, leaving only language establishing each directorate under an Under Secretary. Instead, he requires the administration to provide legislative proposals in the future, no sooner than February of 2003 for border and transportation, no sooner than 120 days later for intelligence and for critical infrastructure, and no sooner than 120 days after that for emergency preparedness and science and technology. The overall thrust is to delay implementation of this bill.”