Political Quotes

“on June 6 of this year, President Bush proposed the establishment of a Department of Homeland Security and, arguably, the most fundamental reorganization of the United States Government since the passage of the National Security Act of 1947. This proposal by our President is the logical culmination of a very deliberate process that started when then-Governor George W. Bush established homeland security as his highest priority during a speech at the Citadel in September 1999, when he stated, ``Once a strategic afterthought defense has become an urgent duty.'' While I support the overall intent of the legislation and strongly agree with the need to better organize our Government to protect our homeland, I do not support all provisions of this bill as drafted. Two such provisions are addressed by the pending Thompson amendment--which I support--which would strike titles II, and III of the underlying legislation. Title II mandates the establishment of a National Office for Combating Terrorism and title III mandates the development of a national strategy for terrorism and homeland security response.”