[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2002

  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, when this Chamber considered predecessor 
legislation, H.R. 5005, last July, I voted against its passage. As I 
have looked over the conference agreement reached with the other body, 
I do not see where this bill represents a significant difference over 
the original product. Therefore, I voted against the conference 
agreement for similar reasons that justified my vote on the bill.
  Let me say to my colleagues that I support the concept of a 
Department of Homeland Security. But the concept as transformed into 
H.R. 5005 is a good idea turned into a really bad legislation.
  This bill divides the government from those who serve it--government 
employees. The 170,000 employees who will be incorporated into this new 
Department will be denied job protections that cover most all federal 
employees, even those under the Department of Defense. Under this bill, 
the President can strip employees of their union representation if the 
agency's mission or division they work for material changes, or if a 
majority of the employees within that unit work primarily with 
intelligence, counterintelligence or investigations related to 
terrorism. The Department would also be free to totally ignore employee 
or bargaining representative grievances of proposed changes in pay 
systems and personnel rules.
  The personnel rules do not promote good management; they do not 
promote good government practices. In Election 2000, President Bush 
campaigned on the promise that he was a ``uniter, not a divider.'' Now 
we see what an empty promise he has made of that campaign pledge. This 
bill will do much to divide government from its own federal workforce.
  Another shortcoming of the bill is that it exempts manufacturers of 
anti-terrorism technology from liability. Proponents of this provision 
say it will make America safer. I say it only rewards corporate 
irresponsibility--a policy that our President and the loyal opposition 
seems to embrace.
  Mr. Speaker, this is seriously flawed legislation, and that is why I 
cast my vote against the bill's passage.

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