Section 871 of the Homeland Security Act allows for an exemption to the Federal Advisory Committee Act so that meetings of advisory committees at the Department of Homeland Security could go forward in emergency and other unforeseen…

It is my understanding from the TSA that the $309 million for LOI's in our bill is sufficient to meet the expected demands of airports that are ready to begin formal design and construction.

I am very familiar with the institution my friend from Virginia speaks of, VMI, and I assure my colleague that I will work with him to ensure that the necessary resources are provided to it.

I am very hopeful the funding in this bill will enable the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and the heads of the various directorates and the other agencies that are funded in this bill--the Coast Guard and others--to carry…

What the Department has agreed to undertake is to bring together the best information from the private sector, our experience in the defense area for military defense against anti-aircraft missiles, and to come up with a rational approach…

Although the Department of Homeland Security is newly constituted and its budget submission is not completely detailed, I have confirmed with the Administration that the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center, or NISAC…

The Committee supports the creation of a national, all hazards warning network, and will work in conference to achieve this goal.

the Senator's amendment will add $80 million to the appropriations for the Office of Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection, and it is earmarked specifically to conduct chemical facilities security…

the Senator makes a point that certainly ought to be considered by the Senate, but it ought to be considered first by the Governmental Affairs Committee which has jurisdiction over the law that created the Department and the grant programs…

the Senator has made some excellent points. He has pointed out, for example, the need for a review of the color-coded warning system. I am pleased to advise the Senator, it is my understanding that the Department is undertaking just such a…

the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection is another agency that is involved in the research and development of detection and monitoring equipment and devices, particularly at ports. Port radiation detection and monitoring is funded in…

in addition to the research account that the Senator seeks to amend with the amendment he submitted and which is at the desk, the Department of Homeland Security is engaged in a wide range of broad-based research activity under the…

I would not. I am not going to tell an agency of this Homeland Security Department how to do research or where to put the priorities for research. Some of the information about detection of these devices I am sure is classified. I am not…

The committee is recommending in the appropriations bill $130.2 million for research and development. The way that is broken down even further as explained in our committee report on page 31, $55.2 million goes to a Technological Center…

The President's budget as submitted to the Congress proposed eliminating the emergency management performance grants program. This was a program that had been administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It is a program that…

I, frankly, think this amendment is unnecessary and unnecessarily burdensome on the Secret Service, but I am not going to vote against it and the Senator insists on a vote on the amendment. I am going to vote for it and suggest all…

It is not enthusiastic at all. I said I disagree with the amendment, and I think it is unnecessary. But I am willing to go ahead and adopt it and urge the Secret Service to try to comply with it.

as I said when the amendment was proffered by the Senator from California, we were pleased that she had agreed to make some changes in the amendment and that we would accept the amendment if those changes were included. She asked for the…

on the subject of antimissile devices for commercial aircraft, the Senate should be advised that the statement of managers on the supplemental that was passed earlier this year directed the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the…

Yes, I am aware of the MATRIX program and the promise it has shown in providing State and local first responders with the information they need in their fight against terrorism.

we appreciate the Senator from Nevada bringing this issue to the attention of the Senate by offering this amendment. His amendment goes directly to the provision of the bill that provides funds for discretionary grants to high threat urban…

this amendment is redundant and unnecessary. It, in effect, requires a report to committees of Congress every 30 days by the administration on operations in Iraq. The supplemental that the Congress passed in April just before the Easter…

I am concerned about an unfair tax on coal companies and other businesses which is sometimes referred to as the ``reach-back tax.'' It was enacted as part of the Coal Act in the 1992 Energy bill. The Coal Act requires companies to pay a…

I am pleased to join the three other sitting Senators who have served as chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, to salute a dedicated public servant, Ms. Bonny O'Neil, who is retiring after more than 34 years of…

even though we adopted the Cochran amendment by voice vote, which requires certification that drugs imported through Canada are safe, and that they significantly reduce costs to American consumers, if the Dorgan amendment passes, it…