Bennie Thompson: “I thank Mr. Schiff for putting this Special Order together to give us an opportunity to talk about real security from…”

“I thank Mr. Schiff for putting this Special Order together to give us an opportunity to talk about real security from the Democratic standpoint. As you know, unlike my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, we have a plan. That plan is very simple. If we can get additional support, we can make this country safer. But for this hour, let us talk a little bit about homeland security. First of all, I want to take you to the notion that as a grandfather, I spend a lot of time reading children's stories. It may be because I am the ranking member on the Homeland Security Committee, but recently I was reading the ``Emperor's New Clothes,'' and I could not help but think about the Department of Homeland Security. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, it is about a ruler who loved to dress up in the finest threads. One day some folks came by and promised to make him the finest suit he had ever seen. As they made it, they kept asking him what he thought about the beautiful cloth and the fine design. Not seeing anything but feeling a little naive, the emperor said it was beautiful. When the day came for him to wear the suit out in public, he called a big parade and put on the so-called outfit. Everyone ``oohed'' and ``aahed'' until one small child spoke out and said those magic words, ``He doesn't have anything on.'' Why does that story remind me of the current administration's homeland security efforts? Because DHS is like the naked emperor.…”