Cord Byrd: “later this week, the Senate is expected to begin debate on the creation of a new Department of Homeland Security. The…”

“later this week, the Senate is expected to begin debate on the creation of a new Department of Homeland Security. The debate, however, will not be about whether to create a new Department, but rather how to create a new Department. Since the President unveiled his legislative proposal 6 weeks ago, the Congress seems unwilling--or unable, perhaps--to resist the stampede moving it towards the creation of this new Department. Indeed, the momentum behind the idea seems almost unstoppable. With the level of endorsement the Congress has given to this idea, one would think that the proposal for a new Homeland Security Department had been engraved in the stone tablets that were handed down to Moses at Mount Sinai. But in reality, the idea was developed by four Presidential staffers--four--in the basement of the White House. For all we know, it could have been drafted on the back of a cocktail napkin. The administration did not consult with Members of Congress about the President's proposal. We were not asked for our input.”