Political Quotes

“I believe this is one of the singular, most important issues next to the development of the homeland department, is to make sure that this coordination of information happens. We know first hand in Portland, Maine, where a couple of the terrorists had boarded the plane, to have gone through the security screening and not to have that information disseminated to the local law enforcement that was available at the Federal level with Federal law enforcement is just completely unacceptable. I think this legislation which I am cosponsoring directing the administration to develop procedures for Federal agencies to share this information, both declassified and classified, is appropriate with State and local authorities. This bill requires the CIA and the Department of Justice to prescribe procedures in accordance with Presidential directives with Federal agencies to share homeland security information with State and local authorities. These Federal agencies would also be required to provide to State and local authorities an assessment of the credibility of such information. This legislation is going to go a long way to further enhancing the relationship between the Federal, State and local governments so we can together protect Maine and the Nation's homeland security.”