Sylvester Turner: “I am greatly disturbed that we are debating a $275 billion transportation measure without taking strong action in this…”

“I am greatly disturbed that we are debating a $275 billion transportation measure without taking strong action in this bill to increase security in our rail and transit systems. Three weeks ago, a terrorist group related to al Qaeda conducted several coordinated bombings on commuter trains in Madrid. Two hundred civilians were killed and more than 1,500 injured. The tragedy was enough to shock the nations of Europe into immediate action to get serious about transit security, but we have not responded here at home with sufficient urgency to protect the lives of the many Americans who travel every day by rail and transit. Earlier this week, British police arrested eight and seized half a ton of ammonia nitrate. Philippine authorities arrested four members of a terrorist group linked to al Qaeda and seized 30 pounds of TNT. Each of these cases may have prevented another Madrid-style attack. Closer to home, Amtrak's trains were stopped this last Tuesday and searched in Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania after bomb threats were reported. We are enormously vulnerable to rail and transit attack and have an estimated need for $2 billion in investments in security for mass transit. Yet since the attacks of September 11 of 2001, the Department of Homeland Security has made available only $115 million for this purpose. Today, we have a $275 billion bill that barely addresses security.”