John Ensign: “I rise to discuss the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report that deal with the integrity of our borders and…”

“I rise to discuss the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report that deal with the integrity of our borders and visitor access to America. In the decade before 9/11, al-Qaida studied how to exploit gaps and weaknesses in the passport, visa, and entry systems of the United States and other countries. Al-Qaida actually set up its own passport office in Kandahar and developed working relationships with travel facilitators--travel agents, document forgers, and corrupt government officials. Since 9/11, some important steps have been taken to strengthen our homeland security. While these efforts have made us safer, we are not safe enough. A real world example was reported this past Saturday by the Washington Post. Peru and the U.S. intercepted a criminal network with possible al-Qaida links that smuggled Arabs into America after receiving false papers in Lima. Keeping Americans secure means being diligent on all fronts, at home and abroad. The amendment that I am offering ties directly to two important recommendations of the Commission Report prohibiting terrorist travel to our country.”