Timothy Roemer: “Mr. Speaker, oftentimes motions to recommit are both partisan and procedural. This motion is neither one. It is not…”

“Mr. Speaker, oftentimes motions to recommit are both partisan and procedural. This motion is neither one. It is not partisan in that it is a reflection actually of the substance of a bipartisan agreement arrived at by members of the intelligence committees in both Chambers, on both sides of the aisle. It is not only bipartisan, it is substantive in what it tries to achieve: to create an independent commission to respond to the national and the international tragedy of 2,900 and 4,800 people dead with the terrorist attack on September 11. Why on this bill would we offer an independent committee, an independent blue ribbon commission to look at answers as to why this tragic attack was perpetrated upon this country, and how to prevent future attacks? Why on homeland security? Well, we passed the defense appropriations bill. In that bill we increased funding, and we have a plan for fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and around the world.”