Chris Dodd: “Let me begin once again by expressing my appreciation to the chairman and the manager of this bill, Senator Gregg, and…”

“Let me begin once again by expressing my appreciation to the chairman and the manager of this bill, Senator Gregg, and my colleague from West Virginia, Senator Byrd. They have done a good job with this bill. This bill deals with several complicated issues. The events during the past few days in London have highlighted the importance of these issues concerning our homeland security. I want to express my appreciation to Senator Gregg and Senator Byrd for operating within the constraints of the budget caps. I realize by offering an amendment so large--50 percent of the entire amount in this bill--I am offering an extraordinary amendment. I tried to make it clear today that these are extraordinary times with extraordinary events. Since 1983, when the bombing of the Marine barracks took place in Beirut where we lost 242 Marines, 221 major terrorist attacks have occurred around the world. Fifty-eight of those attacks, almost 25 percent, were carried out in transit systems, with the use of trucks or cars or in seaports. We know today in our own country that we are glaringly lax in providing the security we need within our transit systems, harbors, and ports. The amendment I am offering is not one that I have crafted on my own.…”