David Price: “I rise in support of H.R. 1, legislation Congress should have passed long ago to address the unfulfilled 9/11 Commission…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1, legislation Congress should have passed long ago to address the unfulfilled 9/11 Commission recommendations. As the incoming chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I can tell you there is no time to waste in enacting and implementing this legislation. Now, no one should suppose that this will be easy. This is an ambitious agenda for the Department, and based on the Department's performance to date, it is going to have to rise considerably to meet that challenge. There will be challenges for us in Congress as well, as my friend the immediate past chairman of our Appropriations Subcommittee has just stressed. These are not going to be easy priorities to meet. Many of the bill's programs are not currently funded, such as the Interoperable Communications Grant Program. This means that the Appropriations Committee and in particular our subcommittee will have to find additional resources. Congress will also have to provide rigorous oversight of the Department's implementation of the bill. I look forward to working with Chairman Thompson and other colleagues to hold the Department accountable. The President must also do his part by requesting and supporting the funding to get the job done.”