Political Quotes

“title II mandates the establishment of a National Office for Combating Terrorism, and title III mandates the development of a national strategy for combating terrorism and homeland security response. I note that the administration is strongly opposed to both of these titles. The arguments against title II are not unlike the questions I posed to the distinguished Senator from South Carolina regarding his measure, which is also pending before the Senate. And that is, we should accord, as a legislative body, the Congress, the maximum flexibility to our President, be he Democrat or Republican, in establishing that structure he deems necessary in his Department to best serve his style of discharging the obligations of the Office of President. Our President respectfully says to the Congress: I do not need what is proposed in title II. Again, on October 8, 2001, following the tragic events of September 11, President Bush formed the Office of Homeland Security in the Executive Office of the President to oversee immediate homeland security concerns and to propose long-term solutions. Governor Ridge has discharged with great distinction the responsibilities of that office. They worked hard under the President's guidance to produce a comprehensive plan that now deserves our serious consideration and support.”