As a Member of Congress, somebody who chairs this committee, I would not want something to happen that can be put at the door of an imperfect screening system as to the reason it occurred.

One of the challenges we have is to try to protect the good people of America.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair; and let me also welcome our witnesses in the first panel here today.

If we don't do our duties and something bad happens, shame on us.

Pulling FEMA out of the department will once again fracture the nation's ability to respond to all types of catastrophes--whether natural or man-made.

I know also very much embraces a risk-based approach to dealing with our Nation's homeland security issues.

I think perhaps at our next hearing we need to bring some of the people who have the primary responsibility for the plan...

I believe this administration should seek to use a combination of regulations and incentives to ensure that our electricity grid... are properly secured.

I believe the CSIS report's recommendation to create three new public/private groups designed to foster better trust and cooperation on cyber issues is the right approach.

We need a strategy that uses all of the tools of the U.S. power in a coordinated fashion, but more importantly, we need to hold our agencies accountable for implementing that strategy.

The review must clearly delineate roles and responsibilities of each agency involved in the governance of cybersecurity at the Federal level.

What should ICE do to ensure local agencies understand the limitations and scope of their 287(g) agreements?

I urge TSA to delay implementation of final rulemaking with regard to the Large Aircraft Security Program until the new TSA leadership has had an opportunity to review the NPRM and engage with Congress and industry stakeholders.

I strongly support H.R. 549, and believe that authorizing the Office of Bombing Prevention will greatly enhance our Nation's preparedness and response to arguably the most likely method of terrorist attack. In addition to authorizing the…

Mr. Speaker, while the practice of watch listing individuals plays an important role in identifying possible terrorist suspects, we must keep in mind that the watch list is only as good as the information on it. Without accurate, complete…

assures that there will be direct access but it cannot assure that the relationship with the President will be strong or that the Administrator will have the presidents confidence.

I urge passage of H.R. 1333. I strongly believe that the GAO report required under H.R. 1333 will provide us with the information needed to reach the right decision on the question of whether a formal relationship between DHS and CAP will…

Mr. Speaker, I cannot emphasize how important these covert tests are to protecting the country's transportation security systems. A single tip-off of a covert test is too many. We have already had three we know of. We must do our part to…

H.R. 4749 is important legislation that will ensure that we are positioned to address explosive threats at all levels of government. We know that explosives are all too often terrorists' weapons of choice. Under HSPD-19, DHS is tasked with…

I rise also to salute the two newest members of this committee for introducing this legislation. This legislation, the Public Housing Disaster Relief Act of 2008, will strike section 9(k) of the U.S. Housing Act and clarify the funding…

House Resolution 1150 sends the right message at the right time. It reminds TSA of the House's continued interest in seeing progress on securing our rail and mass transit systems. Last year we took steps towards that goal by passing H.R. 1…

Mr. Chairman, Petty Officer Bruckenthal and two Navy petty officers were killed during a coordinated suicide attack on the oil platforms off the coast of Iraq. These men offered what President Lincoln referred to as "the last full measure…

Mr. Chairman, H.R. 2830 is an important milestone in protecting our Nation's port and maritime security. It is the first bill to provide adequate resources to an agency that has been systematically underfunded for years. H.R. 2330…

Mr. Chairman, I support H.R. 2830, not only for what it does to enhance port security, but also for what it does to get the Deepwater program back on course. As someone who cares about the Coast Guard, it has been disturbing to see the…

That allows, Mr. Speaker, the Coast Guard to partner with the State and local entities to protect the security zones around LNG facilities. Last, and certainly not least, Mr. Speaker, the improvements that the bill makes in the Deepwater…