Jim Langevin: “I rise in support of H.R. 2555, the first annual appropriations measure for the Department of Homeland Security. This…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2555, the first annual appropriations measure for the Department of Homeland Security. This bill will help us equip our Nation to prepare for and respond to future disasters. But it is not enough. When it comes to protecting our citizens, we must move faster and we must be stronger. One critical shortcoming facing us is the failure of the DHS Intelligence Director to fulfill its role as the agency's new nerve center. The effective operation of this unit is indispensable to the success of the rest of the Department. Instead, resources are being allocated and priorities are being set without a reliable threat assessment that can be mapped against existing vulnerabilities. We also continue to fall short of meeting our responsibility to first responders. Firefighters, police, health care workers and others on the front lines need our support to keep America safe. With dozens of States experiencing grave budget crises, first responders are more desperate than ever for Federal assistance. In countless other areas, from port security to air cargo screening to computer interoperability, we are not moving fast enough and we have not become strong enough. We simply must make homeland security our top priority and devote the necessary resources to it.”