Joe Lieberman: “I want to say that it is because of the complexity of that chart that refers to the various agencies that have something…”

“I want to say that it is because of the complexity of that chart that refers to the various agencies that have something to do with homeland security or the war against terrorism--you see the Department of State here, Director of Central Intelligence, the Department of Defense, it goes beyond just homeland security and security generally--it is that chart, with all its unconnected pieces, that has motivated our work on this bill. Take, for instance, all the agencies that have something to do with border security. As we heard testimony in our committee, you go to a point of entry into the United States of America, you have three or four Federal agencies. Each one of them has their own office. Each has their own telephones. They cannot communicate rapidly with one another. The same is true of critical infrastructure protection, of the capacity of Federal, State, and local agencies to work together on emergency response, if, God forbid, there is another terrorist attack. That is the whole purpose of the Department we brought forward. I think it is the best proposal we could make at this time. Therefore, it is the most responsive to the threat of terrorism and insecurity here at home. Is it perfect? No way.…”