Mike McCaul

The perception of deadlock, the perception that we can't get anything done on those things that matter most to our own citizens here at home, it has an impact on our power.

There really needs to be a much more focused effort. Educating much in the same way I think we have all said here.

I share your concern. I think there is no substitute for Presidential leadership on this.

They can separate out the terrorists, the Islamic groups from the more mainstream moderates if you will and that we could arm the mainstream groups.

Having Russia as a major player in the Middle East could have long-term consequences.

Do we want to now bring Russia back in and establish them as a major power in the Middle East, maybe even a veto power over our actions?

The reality of the world we live in, whether we like it or not, is the United States is the only military power capable of carrying out any type of effective military action.

If Israel sees that we allow Syria to cross a red line on chemical weapons, why should Israel trust us to prevent Iran from crossing the red line on nuclear weapons?

We cannot resolve the underlying military conflict with our military.

I believe that to be the greatest threat to the homeland here.

I think the American people are starting to understand is, who are these rebel forces?

Al-Qaeda is the enemy. Al-Qaeda was the one who brought down the Twin Towers.

The Committee on Homeland Security will come to order.

However, horrific acts should not spur unwise reactions, and we must thoroughly examine the realities of military intervention in this civil war.

Securing these weapons will take an international coalition that will ensure they can neither be used by Assad or the extremist elements of the rebel forces.

For 2 years, Americans have known a brutal war is being waged in Syria.

My concern is any strike against this regime, as bad as it is, will empower these radical Islamists, these extremists.

There is no good outcome here.

What is even more disturbing is that West Fertilizer was just one of literally thousands of similar-situated facilities across the country that DHS has no knowledge of.

The harm to individual communities resulting from a chemical incident, the destruction suffered at the local level can be devastating.

We look forward to receiving these reports, and to working with you to help secure our Nation against the risk of terrorism.

Chemical facilities that are not run with the utmost care are a liability to everyone.

I thank the Chairman for holding this important hearing on a tragedy that occurred in my home State of Texas.

Like many still grieving their loved ones, I would like to see changes made to the policies related to hazardous material regulation, use and tracking.

We need to have better facilities that are actually able to be contemporary with the type of volume and the level of goods that comes through there today.