Frank Lautenberg: “I rise today to voice strong opposition to the amendment being offered by Senator Collins to this Homeland Security…”

“I rise today to voice strong opposition to the amendment being offered by Senator Collins to this Homeland Security appropriations bill. It is the wrong approach at a critical time in the war on terror. Need any of us here be reminded that it wasn't Portsmouth, England, that was attacked last week? I will tell you that the odds are that it won't be Portsmouth, ME, that is going to be under terrorist threats or that it compares in any way to the most inviting targets in the country--one of which is in the State of New Jersey, where 12 million people could be killed if there is a raid on the chemical plant that is very close to the New York border and within our State. Mr. President, I am a member of the Homeland Security Committee. For the record, the Collins legislation didn't pass without dissent in the committee. I strongly opposed the Collins bill offered by the chairman in committee, and I strongly oppose it here as an amendment to this appropriations bill. The Collins amendment flies in the face of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Everybody says they worked hard. As a matter of fact, Senator Collins was a leader in getting the legislation done to reform the intelligence operation. I commend her for that. But they are very clear in the 9/11 Commission report that distribution should be made on the basis of risk. And it also, by the way, defies the wishes of President Bush and Secretary Chertoff.…”