Mark Udall: “I support passage of this important bill--the first-ever authorization bill for the new Department of Homeland Security…”

“I support passage of this important bill--the first-ever authorization bill for the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill includes many provisions that will improve Americans' security. These include authority for recruitment and training of 2,000 new border agents, better screening of incoming cargo, and improved background checks for people taking part in programs regulated by the DHS. The bill also will help the government speak more clearly to Americans regarding threats to their security and will improve the way the federal government works with the States and local agencies to respond to those threats. And it includes provisions to improve research on and implementation of anti-terror technology. Of course, the bill could be better in a number of respects, which is why I voted for the substitute offered by Representative Thompson of Mississippi. That substitute would have authorized $6.46 billion for homeland security grants to state and local governments, $2.29 billion more than the President's budget. It also would have authorized $400 million to restore funding to the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention program, which the President's budget would eliminate. And It would have authorized an additional $150 million in funding for the FIRE Act grants program, which provides fire departments across the nation with the equipment they need to respond to a terrorist attack.…”