[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 98 (Monday, June 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S7807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            NOMINATION HOLD

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, more than 30 months ago, prior to his 
confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, 
Michael Chertoff told me in my office that if confirmed he would move 
expeditiously to implement the National Emergency Technology Guard--NET 
Guard--Program. Unfortunately, Secretary Chertoff has failed to honor 
this pledge.
  The idea of NET Guard was born in the aftermath of 9/11, when a 
number of communications and technology companies told me they wanted 
to help New York City when it was attacked--and there was no system for 
using their volunteers. Then-Senator George Allen and I moved on a 
bipartisan basis to support a program, called NET Guard, that would 
ensure that volunteers with technology expertise could be fully 
utilized in future crises. These teams of local volunteers with science 
and technology expertise would be vital in assisting our communities in 
responding to attacks on communications networks or recovering from 
natural disasters. Congress authorized the establishment of NET Guard 5 
years ago, in the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
  However, DHS has utterly failed to make any visible progress in 
implementing this critical program. DHS's failure to act in this 
critical area is inexcusable.
  Had the Department followed through and created NET Guard, I believe 
it could have played a significant role in alleviating the chaos, 
confusion, and suffering after Hurricane Katrina. Had NET Guard been 
properly implemented, there would have been teams of volunteers with 
expertise ready to mobilize instantly to tackle technical challenges in 
the wake of the storm. Indeed, on an ad hoc basis, companies and 
individuals with technology expertise did come forward to assist the 
suffering. I can only imagine how effective these efforts might have 
been had NET Guard been in place.
  Since my meeting with Secretary Chertoff in 2005, my staff and I have 
been given one excuse after another for delaying implementation of NET 
Guard. I have been promised briefings that never happen and reports 
that never materialize. At the outset, I was willing to accept some 
delay, but that time has passed.
  We know that it is only a matter of time before there is another 
crisis that will put American communities and their critical 
communication networks at risk. Further delay is unacceptable.
  Out of options, I reluctantly feel that I must put a hold on the 
nomination of Dennis Schrader who has been nominated by President Bush 
to serve as Deputy Administrator for National Preparedness, until the 
NET Guard Program is up and running nationwide.
  It gives me no pleasure to place this hold and I do so grudgingly.
  I recognize the importance of the position of Deputy Administrator 
for National Preparedness, but the position didn't even exist for the 
first 4 years after the Department of Homeland Security was created; it 
was just created in March. Since then, Mr. Corey Grouber has served as 
Acting Deputy Administrator, so delaying Mr. Schrader's confirmation 
while the long-overdue Net Guard Program is put in place will not leave 
the office leaderless. Mr. Corey Grouber has extensive experinace at 
FEMA, so he can manage for a little longer while the NET Guard Program 
is established. Unfortunately, I see no evidence that the Secretary 
intends to uphold his pledge to me, and until he does, I will keep my 
hold on Mr. Schrader's nomination.
  I hope DHS will quickly begin to take action so I can remove this 
hold and Mr. Schrader's nomination can move through the Senate.

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