Bill Pascrell: “I support the Berry amendment. The gentleman from Arkansas has a tendency and a knack to present amendments on this…”

“I support the Berry amendment. The gentleman from Arkansas has a tendency and a knack to present amendments on this floor that are reasonable, precise and relevant. This is a very relevant amendment, as our chairman just pointed out. We need greater coordination between the Department of Homeland Security with State, local and tribal officers. I believe that this is wise public policy. Secondly, State and local officials know better than anyone, they certainly know better than anybody in Washington, the risks and the vulnerabilities that they face. Washington must work outside of the Beltway for the greatest effectiveness. We know in examining not only the 9/11 Commission report but every other report since the tragedy of 9/11 that the lack of coordination between the various levels of government is a very, very dangerous situation. This bill, in its totality, strikes at that very vulnerability, and this amendment, I think, precisely talks to the very important factor of coordination of those agencies. I want to commend the sponsor of the amendment.”