[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 51 (Friday, April 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E681-E682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND FURTHER ADDITIONAL CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 7, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to 
H.R. 1363, the ``Department of Defense and Further Additional 
Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011,'' a damaging deflection, even as 
negotiations are ongoing to prevent a government shutdown. H.R. 1363 
would reduce funding for the Department of Homeland Security operations 
by $1.4 billion. The cuts are far from surgical in nature and diminish 
the Department's flexibility to respond and recover from known and 
unknown threats.
  Specifically, H.R. 1363 undermines homeland security as follows:
  The bill cuts FEMA first responder grants by 20%. This draconian cut 
will force cash-strapped State, local and tribal governments to roll 
back critical preparedness activities and is a slap in the face to the 
men and women who serve and protect.
  It cuts funding for next generation border security technology by 
28%. This will surely set back efforts at achieving operational control 
of the Southwest border.
  It cuts $57 million in funding for Transportation Security 
Administration's terrorist watchlist activities. This cut will force 
TSA to scramble to find the money to undertake this critical screening 
activity.
  It cuts the Science and Technology Directorate operations by $173 
million. This cut will most certainly result in significant delays in 
the development of new and promising homeland security technologies.
  Rather than slashing the DHS budget to grand-stand or score political 
points, we should be dedicating new resources to:

[[Page E682]]

  Bolster border security by retaining CBP officers, providing 
technologies and equipment to front-line officials, and upgrading 
deteriorating infrastructure at ports of entry;
  Expand maritime security by the furthering of the Coast Guard's 
recapitalization initiative to replace its aging fleet;
  Enhance cybersecurity by investing and deploying cyber systems to 
protect critical cyber infrastructure from all cyber threats.
  Strengthen aviation security by making enhancements in the vetting of 
foreign travelers air-bound for our country, a known threat since well 
before the Christmas Day plot of 2009.
  Playing fast and loose with homeland security is not the way to put 
our Nation's fiscal house in order. The Republican draconian approach 
to budgeting will add insult to injury to the Department of Homeland 
Security that has already struggled for six months without its budget. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against this damaging 
deflection of a bill.

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