[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1951-E1952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 10, 9/11 RECOMMENDATIONS 
                           IMPLEMENTATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it pleases me that the 
Committee on Rules had the prudence to make the amendment offered by 
the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Menendez, in order. This important 
amendment has been endorsed by the 9/11 Commission and embodies the 
provisions found in the Collins/Lieberman proposal, S. 2845 and the 
McCain/Lieberman proposal, S. 2774.
  Nevertheless, I am disappointed that we only have 3 hours and 40 
minutes of general debate to divide between eight of the many 
committees of jurisdiction with respect to this legislation. In our 
work on H.R. 10, we have a duty to take into account the families that 
will be affected. We in this august body have a duty to take into 
account that these families--in fact, all American families, will be 
waiting and watching to see if this body will act responsibly, 
appropriately, and adequately.
  The base bill includes over 50 extraneous provisions that were not 
recommended by the 9/11 Commission. Within these extraneous provisions 
are legislative ``poison pills'' that will ultimately frustrate our 
overall purpose--to make America safe. These poison pills include:

[[Page E1952]]

  Giving the President ``fast track'' authority to reorganize the 
intelligence agencies, undermining the reforms recommended by the 9/11 
Commission;
  Giving the President authority to bypass Senate confirmation of the 
Director of the CIA and other key intelligence and defense officials, 
weakening congressional oversight;
  Giving Federal law enforcement officials new authority to deport 
foreign nationals, revoke visas, and deny asylum without judicial 
review;
  Creation of new national databases of drivers licenses, birth 
certificates, and criminal histories, raising civil liberties and 
privacy concerns; and
  Expansion of the authority of the Justice Department by relaxing 
grand jury secrecy requirements and increasing its ability to conduct 
secret surveillance.
  I serve on the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, and it 
troubles me that while that body received a referral for markup, the 
leadership has chose not to schedule such a hearing. The very committee 
that would presumably hold the most jurisdiction over this matter 
deferred its opportunity to make this legislation better. That does not 
sit well with my colleagues on this side of the aisle and it does not 
sit well with the families of the victims of 9/11--it does not sit well 
with the American people.
  Furthermore, while the September 11 Commission has set forth its 
bipartisan suggestion for rebuilding and improvement, we cannot even 
move legislation that authorizes homeland security spending through a 
markup by the main committee of jurisdiction. These issues are 
indicative of a body that has its priorities misplaced.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition and tribute to the families of the 9/11 
victims, there should never be a price limitation placed on effectively 
securing the homeland. Nor should solid legislation be ignored or 
thwarted in carrying out the will of the American people. For this 
reason, I fully support the goals set forth in the Shays-Maloney 
proposal that was not made in order by this committee. I also fully 
support the Menendez amendment that has been endorsed by the 9/11 
Commission and embodies the provisions found in the Collins/Lieberman 
proposal, S. 2845 and the McCain/Lieberman proposal, S. 2774.

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