Vito Fossella: “If there is any issue that we all could come together on, despite the many disagreements that exist, is the notion that…”

“If there is any issue that we all could come together on, despite the many disagreements that exist, is the notion that the American people should be as best protected as possible. I hope that this bill does just that. Importantly, I thank the common sense of Peter King and his tenacity and persistence to ensure things like the John Doe provision remain part of this conference report, so I tip my hat. The first part, a beneficial part of this program, is finally the UASI program has been authorized into law. At $850 million, I believe that this true threat-based funding formula will bring assistance to the first responders in high-threat areas such as New York City that they deserve. Second, the bill resizes the Homeland Security Advisory System and makes improvements to information sharing between and among local, State and Federal officials, a goal I worked on with several amendments to the intelligence authorization bill for the last 2 years. However, let me say I continue to be disappointed of the fact that the 9/11 Commission suggestions are not fully implemented here.”