Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I appreciate so much the leadership of the Senator from California. We have talked about this many times, ever since…”

“I appreciate so much the leadership of the Senator from California. We have talked about this many times, ever since 9/11, the Department of Homeland Security being created by Congress and requested by the President. But the fact is, I think the distinguished Senator from California has laid out the case very well. We have certain areas that, with our intelligence and with the activities that have been uncovered, we know are high-risk areas. It is in the interest of all Americans, of every State, that we allow the Department of Homeland Security, with its intelligence grid, to determine where the needs are greatest from a risk perspective. That is exactly what the Feinstein amendment does. I am very pleased to be a cosponsor with my colleague from Texas, Senator Cornyn; Senator Feinstein; Senator Boxer. Many States that have the problems that we see are understanding of the need for this amendment. I will give you one example. Texas is, as Senator Feinstein said, the second largest State in population, the second largest State in area as well. We are second behind Alaska in area and second behind California in population. But more important than that is we have many areas that could be terrorist targets. In particular, I point out the ports, and the Port of Houston especially. Texas has 29 ports. Four of these are among the 10 busiest in the Nation. The Port of Houston is one of the most important ports in the world.”