Political Quotes

“tonight we will be engaging in a discussion about our Nation's homeland security. I will be joined by several of my colleagues here tonight who have some very interesting thoughts and perspectives they would like to share with the American people on this most important issue. Homeland security is a matter of concern to all Americans, irrespective of their political affiliation. This is especially true in the United States Congress. The Committee on Homeland Security, of which I am a member, reflects our national concern. In the last 6 months, our committee has sent to the floor of the House some very important legislation designed to make America's borders, ports, and transportation facilities less vulnerable to terrorist attack or other catastrophe. One such bill is H.R. 1544, the Faster and Smarter Funding For First Responders Act of 2005. Prior to this bill, grant funding for first responders tasked with responding to homeland emergencies was provided in equal percentage to all States with an allowance upward for population. Because these funds are distributed without regard to safeguarding against risk, there were many documented abuses within the system. Of the $6.3 billion in grants appropriated by Congress and awarded by the Department of Homeland Security since fiscal year 2002, only 31 percent of those funds have been spent.…”