Dan Burton: “We are at war, and we are talking about national security, and there is really no evidence that we have a problem. In…”

“We are at war, and we are talking about national security, and there is really no evidence that we have a problem. In fact, this very issue has been used very sparingly by past Presidents, both Republican and Democrat, and they have never abused the privilege. Second, as I said, we are in a war, and the Homeland Security Department is a very, very important part of the President's strategy of dealing with that war. This amendment would give the President less authority over the defense of America, the new Homeland Security Department, less authority than he has over any other department of government. Why would we do that? Why would we give the President less authority over the security of America, the Homeland Security Department, than he has over any other department? It makes no sense. This was one of the most controversial votes we had before our committee. It came right down to the last vote. It passed by one vote. When it went to the select committee, the leadership committee, that issue was reversed by one vote.”