Transparency essential to the functioning of a democracy probably gives precedent to that individual testifying.

I take equal pride and awe in a government that today, as reflected in this hearing, remains committed to a recurring review of its structure, its function, and its fundamental tenets of checks and balances.

The brilliance of the Founding Fathers years and years ago to create the three branches of government, the separation of powers.

top members of the Bush administration tried to use the fear of terrorism for politics to win a close presidential election.

There was absolutely no support for that position within our department, none. I wondered is this about security or politics?

Based solely on the tape, absolutely not. It's not news that we're a target. It's not news that he would say publicly that they continue to plan for attacks in the United States.

The United States and the United States Coast Guard recognized the problem and took specific actions to secure our homeland and the global economy.

Although we know not the time and the place and the method, credible reports indicate that al Qaeda is moving forward with its plans to carry out a large-scale attack against the United States.

Credible reporting now indicates that al Qaeda is moving forward with its plans to carry out a large-scale attack in the United States in an effort to disrupt our democratic process.

I think we need to understand that Zarqawi or none of the other terrorist leaders have needed in the past any particular provocation for their deadly destructive designs and conduct.

We decided that given the nature of the threat, the specificity of the threat, it was best to cancel those flights, public safety being the highest priority.

The threat is serious, but the U.S. better prepared than ever before to defend the homeland.

The strategic indicators suggest that it is the most significant threat reporting since 9/11.

We'll never get to a position where we can guarantee absolutely that we are safe against all eventualities for all time, forever.

I rise in support of House Resolution 238. I remind my colleagues that an independent autonomous congressional inspector general would have completed his investigation by now, would have helped us live up to our constitutional…

while our focus today is on the horrible plight and the tragedy of California, I would like to remind all of my colleagues of the snow, and ice, and record-setting Arctic temperatures that have caused serious, life-taking and…