[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 78 (Thursday, June 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

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                               speech of

                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 1, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2017) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other 
     purposes:

  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 
2017--the Department of Homeland Security FY12 Appropriations Act.
  As we come upon the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist 
attacks, the House should not be voting to reduce funding in homeland 
security, mass transit, and port security grants. These grant programs 
would receive a 50-percent cut in funding if this bill were passed. 
Investments in these critical areas are needed as we remain vigilant. 
Terrorist events around the world have shown that mass transit systems, 
like other modes of transportation, are often targets of attack. New 
York City has one of the largest subway systems in the world. Millions 
of people ride the system every day. A plot to attack the New York City 
subway system was thwarted in September 2009. The Metropolitan 
Transportation Authority in New York City has worked hard to keep the 
passengers safe. Our Nation's first responders deserve more.
  Finally, this bill proposes an appropriation of $891.24 million in 
net discretionary spending for Infrastructure Protection and 
Information Security, which is a decrease of $45.25 million below the 
President's FY 2012 budget request. Increasing funding to the 
Administration's request will help to prevent attacks against U.S. 
information networks. Our safety and our way of life depend upon our 
critical infrastructure as well as the strength of our economy. Our 
critical infrastructure--such as the electricity grid, financial 
sector, and transportation networks that sustain our way of life--have 
suffered repeated cyber intrusions, and cyber crime has increased 
dramatically over the last decade. It has become clear that our Nation 
cannot fully defend against these threats unless certain parts of 
Cybersecurity efforts are updated. Congress needs to focus on improving 
cybersecurity for the American people, our Nation's critical 
infrastructure, and the Federal Government's own networks and 
computers.
  As a New York City Member on the House Homeland Security Committee, I 
will work to ensure that our Nation is better prepared to prevent 
terrorist attacks. This appropriations bill is a statement of our 
values. We need to adequately invest in our response capacities to 
safeguard our citizens. At a time when our Nation is dealing with the 
emergency management of natural disasters that ravaged the Midwest and 
South and is working to prevent potential bio-terrorism attacks, this 
is not the time to make drastic cuts to our Homeland Security 
Appropriations.
  I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

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