Joe Lieberman: “This amendment, which is suggested by Senator Graham, who was the originator and implementer of the idea of a separate…”

“This amendment, which is suggested by Senator Graham, who was the originator and implementer of the idea of a separate White House office on antiterrorism, would leave the Secretary of Homeland Security unchanged. The Secretary would be nominated by the President and confirmed by and accountable to the Senate, and the new office on antiterrorism that would be created in the White House in our original proposal was subject to Senate confirmation, as well. We heard from many colleagues, particularly on our side of the aisle, who thought that since we were creating a Department of Homeland Security with a confirmable Secretary, it was a mistake to require confirmation of an office in the White House. Senator Graham has responded to that and, as a result, offered this second-degree amendment to create the Director, who would be appointed by the President, without confirmation by the Senate.”