Joe Lieberman: “I mentioned, when the Senator asked a question or two, about the omission from the bill of the program that our…”

“I mentioned, when the Senator asked a question or two, about the omission from the bill of the program that our committee created, which would have authorized a COPS-like program for firefighters, which would be critically important to local fire departments all around America, who are already spending more money to get ready to protect their people from terrorist attack. The substitute also grants...broad reorganization--I'm sure Senator Byrd will speak to this later in the day--with no need for congressional approval. The President would simply submit a reorganization plan to Congress within 60 days after enactment. No congressional approval would be required, as it would under both Gramm-Miller and our committee bill. Only notice. The substitute also contains a sweeping liability protection provision that eliminates punitive damages and provides other caps and immunities from liability for any products that the Secretary of the new Department of Homeland Security certifies as antiterrorism technologies. This provision, if construed broadly, could do serious damage to individuals' rights.”