Dutch Ruppersberger: “I thank the gentleman for his amendment. I disagree with the chairman. I believe it's vitally important that we protect…”

“I thank the gentleman for his amendment. I disagree with the chairman. I believe it's vitally important that we protect our railway infrastructure from terrorist attacks. Just last week, the Department of Homeland Security issued an intelligence message about potential al Qaeda contemplation in February 2010 of plots against the U.S. rail sector. While there was no imminent threat at that time, we must remain vigilant. It's important that we devote resources to this issue. I hope that we could work together with the chairman if the amendment does not pass so that we can focus on this serious area of threat to our national security. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this amendment.”