Byron Dorgan: “I thank the managers of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, Senators Cochran and Byrd, for agreeing to accept an…”

“I thank the managers of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill, Senators Cochran and Byrd, for agreeing to accept an amendment that I cosponsored. This amendment will ensure prompt funding for the accelerated deployment of Northern Border Air Wing run by the Department of Homeland Security. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, Congress mandated the establishment of a Northern Border Air Wing. The Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for implementing this initiative, intends to have 5 bases, in Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Michigan, and New York, from which planes can be dispatched to track, identify, and intercept any unauthorized aircraft detected on the northern border. I have been working with Department officials in particular on their plan to base one of those air wings in Grand Forks, ND, which is a major aerospace center, and would be an invaluable base in this effort. Despite the urgency of this initiative, the dollars were simply lacking for its prompt implementation.”