[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 16155-16162]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               PREPAREDNESS AGAINST TERRORISM ACT OF 2000

  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4210) to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act to provide for improved Federal efforts to 
prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks, and for other purposes, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4210

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the 
     ``Preparedness Against Terrorism Act of 2000''.
       (b) References.--Except as otherwise specifically provided, 
     whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in 
     terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other 
     provision of law, the reference shall be considered to be 
     made to a section or other provision of the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) the President should strengthen Federal interagency 
     emergency planning by the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
     and other appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies for 
     development of a capability for early detection and warning 
     of and response to potential domestic terrorist attacks 
     involving weapons of mass destruction; and
       (2) Federal efforts to assist State and local emergency 
     preparedness and response personnel in preparation for 
     domestic terrorist attacks should be coordinated so as to 
     eliminate duplicative Federal programs.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act include--
       (1) coordinating and making more effective Federal efforts 
     to assist State and local emergency preparedness and response 
     personnel in preparation for domestic terrorist attacks;
       (2) designating a lead entity to coordinate such Federal 
     efforts; and
       (3) updating Federal authorities to reflect the increased 
     risk of terrorist attacks.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF MAJOR DISASTER.

       Section 102(2) (42 U.S.C. 5122(2)) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(2) Major disaster.--`Major disaster' means any natural 
     catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high 
     water, winddriven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, 
     volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, snow 
     drought, or drought), or, regardless of cause, any fire, 
     flood, explosion, act of terrorism, or other catastrophic 
     event in any part of the United States, which in the 
     determination of the President causes damage of sufficient 
     severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance 
     under this Act to supplement the efforts and available 
     resources of States, local governments, and disaster relief 
     organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or 
     suffering caused thereby.''.

     SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS BY 
                   THE PRESIDENT.

       Title VI (42 U.S.C. 5195 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Director'' each place it appears (other 
     than in sections 602(a)(7) and 603) and inserting 
     ``President'';
       (2) in section 603 by striking ``Director of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency'' and inserting ``President'';
       (3) in section 611(c)--
       (A) by striking ``With the approval of the President, the'' 
     and inserting ``The''; and
       (B) by striking ``responsibilities and review'' and 
     inserting ``responsibilities. The President shall review'';
       (4) in section 621(g) by striking the second sentence;
       (5) in section 623--
       (A) by striking paragraph (1) and redesignating paragraphs 
     (2) and (3) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; and
       (B) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) by striking 
     ``unless'' and all that follows through ``approval of the 
     President,'' and inserting ``unless the President''; and
       (6) in section 624 by striking ``to the President and 
     Congress'' and inserting ``to Congress''.

     SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Hazard.--Section 602(a)(1)(B) (42 U.S.C. 
     5195a(a)(1)(B)) is amended by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``, including a domestic terrorist attack 
     involving a weapon of mass destruction.''.
       (b) Natural Disaster.--Section 602(a)(2) (42 U.S.C. 
     5195a(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) Natural disaster.--The term `natural disaster' means 
     any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven 
     water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, 
     landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, snow drought, drought, fire, 
     or other catastrophe in any part of the United States which 
     causes, or which may cause, substantial damage or injury to 
     civilian property or persons.''.
       (c) Emergency Preparedness.--Section 602(a)(3)(A) (42 
     U.S.C. 5195a(a)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting ``the 
     predeployment of these and other essential resources 
     (including personnel),'' before ``the provision of suitable 
     warning systems,''.
       (d) Director.--Section 602(a) (42 U.S.C. 5195a(a)) is 
     amended by striking paragraph (7) and redesignating 
     paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) as paragraphs (7), (8), and 
     (9), respectively.
       (e) Weapon of Mass Destruction.--Section 602 (42 U.S.C. 
     5195a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(10) Weapon of mass destruction.--The term `weapon of 
     mass destruction' means any weapon or device that is 
     intended, or has the capability, to cause death or serious 
     bodily injury to a significant number of people through the 
     release, dissemination, or impact of--
       ``(A) toxic or poisonous chemicals or their precursors;
       ``(B) a disease organism; or
       ``(C) radiation or radioactivity.''.

     SEC. 6. DETAILED FUNCTIONS OF ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) Federal Emergency Response Plans and Programs.--Section 
     611(b) (42 U.S.C. 5196(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``may prepare'' and inserting ``shall 
     prepare''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following: ``In accordance 
     with section 313, the President shall ensure that Federal 
     response plans and programs are adequate to respond to the 
     consequences of terrorism directed against a target in the 
     United States, including terrorism involving weapons of mass 
     destruction.''.
       (b) Emergency Preparedness Measures.--Section 611(e) (42 
     U.S.C. 5196(e)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``preventing and'' before 
     ``treating'';
       (2) in paragraph (2) by striking ``developing shelter 
     designs'' and inserting ``development of shelter designs, 
     equipment, clothing,''; and
       (3) in paragraph (3) by striking ``developing'' and all 
     that follows through ``thereof'' and inserting ``development 
     and standardization of equipment and facilities''.
       (c) Training and Exercise Programs.--Section 611(f) (42 
     U.S.C. 5196(f)) is amended--
       (1) in the subsection heading by inserting ``and Exercise'' 
     after ``Training'';
       (2) in paragraph (1)(A) by inserting ``and exercise'' after 
     ``training'';
       (3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), respectively; and
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) The President shall establish priorities among 
     training and exercise programs for preparedness against 
     terrorist attacks based on an assessment of the existing 
     threats, capabilities, and objectives.''.

     SEC. 7. REPEALS.

       (a) Use of Funds To Prepare for and Respond to Hazards.--
     Section 615 (42 U.S.C. 5196d) is repealed.
       (b) Security Regulations.--Section 622 (42 U.S.C. 5197a) is 
     repealed.

     SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 626 (42 U.S.C. 5197e) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:

[[Page 16156]]

       ``(b) Priorities.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to this 
     section for training and exercise programs for preparedness 
     against terrorist attacks shall be used in a manner 
     consistent with the priorities established under section 
     611(f)(2).''.

     SEC. 9. PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC TERRORISM 
                   PREPAREDNESS.

       Title VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5195 et seq.) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:

  ``Subtitle C--President's Council on Domestic Terrorism Preparedness

     ``SEC. 651. ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL.

       ``(a) In General.--There is established a council to be 
     known as the President's Council on Domestic Terrorism 
     Preparedness (in this subtitle referred to as the `Council').
       ``(b) Membership.--The Council shall be composed of the 
     following members:
       ``(1) The President.
       ``(2) The Director of the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency.
       ``(3) The Attorney General.
       ``(4) The Secretary of Defense.
       ``(5) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
       ``(6) The Assistant to the President for National Security 
     Affairs.
       ``(7) Any additional members appointed by the President.
       ``(c) Chairman.--
       ``(1) In general.--The President shall serve as the 
     chairman of the Council.
       ``(2) Executive chairman.--The President may appoint an 
     Executive Chairman of the Council (in this subtitle referred 
     to as the `Executive Chairman'). The Executive Chairman shall 
     represent the President as chairman of the Council, including 
     in communications with Congress and State Governors.
       ``(3) Senate confirmation.--An individual selected to be 
     the Executive Chairman under paragraph (2) shall be appointed 
     by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, except that 
     Senate confirmation shall not be required if, on the date of 
     appointment, the individual holds a position for which Senate 
     confirmation was required.
       ``(d) First Meeting.--The first meeting of the Council 
     shall be held not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.

     ``SEC. 652. DUTIES OF COUNCIL.

       ``The Council shall carry out the following duties:
       ``(1) Establish the policies, objectives, and priorities of 
     the Federal Government for enhancing the capabilities of 
     State and local emergency preparedness and response personnel 
     in early detection and warning of and response to all 
     domestic terrorist attacks, including attacks involving 
     weapons of mass destruction.
       ``(2) Publish a Domestic Terrorism Preparedness Plan and an 
     annual strategy for carrying out the plan in accordance with 
     section 653, including the end state of preparedness for 
     emergency responders established under section 653(b)(1)(D).
       ``(3) To the extent practicable, rely on existing resources 
     (including planning documents, equipment lists, and program 
     inventories) in the execution of its duties.
       ``(4) Consult with and utilize existing interagency boards 
     and committees, existing governmental entities, and non-
     governmental organizations in the execution of its duties.
       ``(5) Ensure that a biennial review of the terrorist attack 
     preparedness programs of State and local governmental 
     entities is conducted and provide recommendations to the 
     entities based on the reviews.
       ``(6) Provide for the creation of a State and local 
     advisory group for the Council, to be composed of individuals 
     involved in State and local emergency preparedness and 
     response to terrorist attacks.
       ``(7) Provide for the establishment by the Council's State 
     and local advisory group of voluntary guidelines for the 
     terrorist attack preparedness programs of State and local 
     governmental entities in accordance with section 655.
       ``(8) Designate a Federal entity to consult with, and serve 
     as a contact for, State and local governmental entities 
     implementing terrorist attack preparedness programs.
       ``(9) Coordinate and oversee the implementation by Federal 
     departments and agencies of the policies, objectives, and 
     priorities established under paragraph (1) and the 
     fulfillment of the responsibilities of such departments and 
     agencies under the Domestic Terrorism Preparedness Plan.
       ``(10) Make recommendations to the heads of appropriate 
     Federal departments and agencies regarding--
       ``(A) changes in the organization, management, and resource 
     allocations of the departments and agencies; and
       ``(B) the allocation of personnel to and within the 
     departments and agencies,
     to implement the Domestic Terrorism Preparedness Plan.
       ``(11) Assess all Federal terrorism preparedness programs 
     and ensure that each program complies with the Domestic 
     Terrorism Preparedness Plan.
       ``(12) Identify duplication, fragmentation, and overlap 
     within Federal terrorism preparedness programs and eliminate 
     such duplication, fragmentation and overlap.
       ``(13) Evaluate Federal emergency response assets and make 
     recommendations regarding the organization, need, and 
     geographic location of such assets.
       ``(14) Establish general policies regarding financial 
     assistance to States based on potential risk and threat, 
     response capabilities, and ability to achieve the end state 
     of preparedness for emergency responders established under 
     section 653(b)(1)(D).
       ``(15) Notify a Federal department or agency in writing if 
     the Council finds that its policies are not in compliance 
     with its responsibilities under the Domestic Terrorism 
     Preparedness Plan.

     ``SEC. 653. DOMESTIC TERRORISM PREPAREDNESS PLAN AND ANNUAL 
                   STRATEGY

       ``(a) Development of Plan.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date of the first meeting of the Council, the Council 
     shall develop a Domestic Terrorism Preparedness Plan and 
     transmit a copy of the plan to Congress.
       ``(b) Contents.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Domestic Terrorism Preparedness Plan 
     shall include the following:
       ``(A) A statement of the policies, objectives, and 
     priorities established by the Council under section 652(1).
       ``(B) A plan for implementing such policies, objectives, 
     and priorities that is based on a threat, risk, and 
     capability assessment and includes measurable objectives to 
     be achieved in each of the following 5 years for enhancing 
     domestic preparedness against a terrorist attack.
       ``(C) A description of the specific role of each Federal 
     department and agency, and the roles of State and local 
     governmental entities, under the plan developed under 
     subparagraph (B).
       ``(D) A definition of an end state of preparedness for 
     emergency responders that sets forth measurable, minimum 
     standards of acceptability for preparedness.
       ``(2) Evaluation of federal response teams.--In preparing 
     the description under paragraph (1)(C), the Council shall 
     evaluate each Federal response team and the assistance that 
     the team offers to State and local emergency personnel when 
     responding to a terrorist attack. The evaluation shall 
     include an assessment of how the Federal response team will 
     assist State and local emergency personnel after the 
     personnel has achieved the end state of preparedness for 
     emergency responders established under paragraph (1)(D).
       ``(c) Annual Strategy.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Council shall develop and transmit 
     to Congress, on the date of transmittal of the Domestic 
     Terrorism Preparedness Plan and, in each of the succeeding 4 
     fiscal years, on the date that the President submits an 
     annual budget to Congress in accordance with section 1105(a) 
     of title 31, United States Code, an annual strategy for 
     carrying out the Domestic Terrorism Preparedness Plan in the 
     fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the strategy 
     is submitted.
       ``(2) Contents.--The annual strategy for a fiscal year 
     shall include the following:
       ``(A) An inventory of Federal training and exercise 
     programs, response teams, grant programs, and other programs 
     and activities related to domestic preparedness against a 
     terrorist attack conducted in the preceding fiscal year and a 
     determination as to whether any of such programs or 
     activities may be duplicative. The inventory shall consist of 
     a complete description of each such program and activity, 
     including the funding level and purpose of and goal to be 
     achieved by the program or activity.
       ``(B) If the Council determines under subparagraph (A) that 
     certain programs and activities are duplicative, a detailed 
     plan for consolidating, eliminating, or modifying the 
     programs and activities.
       ``(C) An inventory of Federal training and exercise 
     programs, grant programs, response teams, and other programs 
     and activities to be conducted in such fiscal year under the 
     Domestic Terrorism Preparedness Plan and measurable 
     objectives to be achieved in such fiscal year for enhancing 
     domestic preparedness against a terrorist attack. The 
     inventory shall provide for implementation of any plan 
     developed under subparagraph (B), relating to duplicative 
     programs and activities.
       ``(D) A complete assessment of how resource allocation 
     recommendations developed under section 654(a) are intended 
     to implement the annual strategy.
       ``(d) Consultation.--
       ``(1) In general.--In developing the Domestic Terrorism 
     Preparedness Plan and each annual strategy for carrying out 
     the plan, the Council shall consult with--
       ``(A) the head of each Federal department and agency that 
     will have responsibilities under the Domestic Terrorism 
     Preparedness Plan or annual strategy;
       ``(B) Congress;
       ``(C) State and local officials;
       ``(D) congressionally authorized panels; and
       ``(E) emergency preparedness organizations with memberships 
     that include State and local emergency responders.
       ``(2) Reports.--As part of the Domestic Terrorism 
     Preparedness Plan and each annual strategy for carrying out 
     the plan, the Council shall include a written statement 
     indicating the persons consulted under this subsection and 
     the recommendations made by such persons.

[[Page 16157]]

       ``(e) Transmission of Classified Information.--Any part of 
     the Domestic Terrorism Preparedness Plan or an annual 
     strategy for carrying out the plan that involves information 
     properly classified under criteria established by an 
     Executive order shall be presented to Congress separately.
       ``(f) Risk of Terrorist Attacks Against Transportation 
     Facilities.--
       ``(1) In general.--In developing the plan and risk 
     assessment under subsection (b), the Council shall designate 
     an entity to assess the risk of terrorist attacks against 
     transportation facilities, personnel, and passengers.
       ``(2) Contents.--In developing the plan and risk assessment 
     under subsection (b), the Council shall ensure that the 
     following 3 tasks are accomplished:
       ``(A) An examination of the extent to which transportation 
     facilities, personnel, and passengers have been the target of 
     terrorist attacks and the extent to which such facilities, 
     personnel, and passengers are vulnerable to such attacks.
       ``(B) An evaluation of Federal laws that can be used to 
     combat terrorist attacks against transportation facilities, 
     personnel, and passengers, and the extent to which such laws 
     are enforced. The evaluation may also include a review of 
     applicable State laws.
       ``(C) An evaluation of available technologies and practices 
     to determine the best means of protecting transportation 
     facilities, personnel, and passengers against terrorist 
     attacks.
       ``(3) Consultation.--In developing the plan and risk 
     assessment under subsection (b), the Council shall consult 
     with the Secretary of Transportation, representatives of 
     persons providing transportation, and representatives of 
     employees of such persons.
       ``(g) Monitoring.--The Council, with the assistance of the 
     Inspector General of the relevant Federal department or 
     agency as needed, shall monitor the implementation of the 
     Domestic Terrorism Preparedness Plan, including conducting 
     program and performance audits and evaluations.

     ``SEC. 654. NATIONAL DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS BUDGET.

       ``(a) Recommendations Regarding Resource Allocations.--
       ``(1) Transmittal to council.--Each Federal Government 
     program manager, agency head, and department head with 
     responsibilities under the Domestic Terrorism Preparedness 
     Plan shall transmit to the Council for each fiscal year 
     recommended resource allocations for programs and activities 
     relating to such responsibilities on or before the earlier 
     of--
       ``(A) the 45th day before the date of the budget submission 
     of the department or agency to the Director of the Office of 
     Management and Budget for the fiscal year; or
       ``(B) August 15 of the fiscal year preceding the fiscal 
     year for which the recommendations are being made.
       ``(2) Transmittal to the office of management and budget.--
     The Council shall develop for each fiscal year 
     recommendations regarding resource allocations for each 
     program and activity identified in the annual strategy 
     completed under section 653 for the fiscal year. Such 
     recommendations shall be submitted to the relevant 
     departments and agencies and to the Director of the Office of 
     Management and Budget. The Director of the Office of 
     Management and Budget shall consider such recommendations in 
     formulating the annual budget of the President submitted to 
     Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States 
     Code, and shall provide to the Council a written explanation 
     in any case in which the Director does not accept such a 
     recommendation.
       ``(3) Records.--The Council shall maintain records 
     regarding recommendations made and written explanations 
     received under paragraph (2) and shall provide such records 
     to Congress upon request. The Council may not fulfill such a 
     request before the date of submission of the relevant annual 
     budget of the President to Congress under section 1105(a) of 
     title 31, United States Code.
       ``(4) New programs or reallocation of resources.--The head 
     of a Federal department or agency shall consult with the 
     Council before acting to enhance the capabilities of State 
     and local emergency preparedness and response personnel with 
     respect to terrorist attacks by--
       ``(A) establishing a new program or office; or
       ``(B) reallocating resources, including Federal response 
     teams.

     ``SEC. 655. VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES FOR STATE AND LOCAL 
                   PROGRAMS.

       ``The Council shall provide for the establishment of 
     voluntary guidelines for the terrorist attack preparedness 
     programs of State and local governmental entities for the 
     purpose of providing guidance in the development and 
     implementation of such programs. The guidelines shall address 
     equipment, exercises, and training and shall establish a 
     desired threshold level of preparedness for State and local 
     emergency responders.

     ``SEC. 656. POWERS OF COUNCIL.

       ``In carrying out this subtitle, the Council may--
       ``(1) direct, with the concurrence of the Secretary of a 
     department or head of an agency, the temporary reassignment 
     within the Federal Government of personnel employed by such 
     department or agency;
       ``(2) use for administrative purposes, on a reimbursable 
     basis, the available services, equipment, personnel, and 
     facilities of Federal, State, and local agencies;
       ``(3) procure the services of experts and consultants in 
     accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, 
     relating to appointments in the Federal Service, at rates of 
     compensation for individuals not to exceed the daily 
     equivalent of the rate of pay payable for GS-18 of the 
     General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States 
     Code;
       ``(4) accept and use donations of property from Federal, 
     State, and local government agencies;
       ``(5) use the mails in the same manner as any other 
     department or agency of the executive branch; and
       ``(6) request the assistance of the Inspector General of a 
     Federal department or agency in conducting audits and 
     evaluations under section 653(g).

     ``SEC. 657. ROLE OF COUNCIL IN NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL 
                   EFFORTS.

       ``The Council may, in the Council's role as principal 
     adviser to the National Security Council on Federal efforts 
     to assist State and local governmental entities in domestic 
     terrorist attack preparedness matters, and subject to the 
     direction of the President, attend and participate in 
     meetings of the National Security Council. The Council may, 
     subject to the direction of the President, participate in the 
     National Security Council's working group structure.

     ``SEC. 658. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COUNCIL.

       ``(a) Executive Director.--The Council shall have an 
     Executive Director who shall be appointed by the President.
       ``(b) Staff.--The Executive Director may appoint such 
     personnel as the Executive Director considers appropriate. 
     Such personnel shall be assigned to the Council on a full-
     time basis and shall report to the Executive Director.
       ``(c) Administrative Support Services.--The Executive 
     Office of the President shall provide to the Council, on a 
     reimbursable basis, such administrative support services, 
     including office space, as the Council may request.

     ``SEC. 659. COORDINATION WITH EXECUTIVE BRANCH DEPARTMENTS 
                   AND AGENCIES.

       ``(a) Requests for Assistance.--The head of each Federal 
     department and agency with responsibilities under the 
     Domestic Terrorism Preparedness Plan shall cooperate with the 
     Council and, subject to laws governing disclosure of 
     information, provide such assistance, information, and advice 
     as the Council may request.
       ``(b) Certification of Policy Changes by Council.--
       ``(1) In general.--The head of each Federal department and 
     agency with responsibilities under the Domestic Terrorism 
     Preparedness Plan shall, unless exigent circumstances require 
     otherwise, notify the Council in writing regarding any 
     proposed change in policies relating to the activities of 
     such department or agency under the Domestic Terrorism 
     Preparedness Plan prior to implementation of such change. The 
     Council shall promptly review such proposed change and 
     certify to the department or agency head in writing whether 
     such change is consistent with the Domestic Terrorism 
     Preparedness Plan.
       ``(2) Notice in exigent circumstances.--If prior notice of 
     a proposed change under paragraph (1) is not possible, the 
     department or agency head shall notify the Council as soon as 
     practicable. The Council shall review such change and certify 
     to the department or agency head in writing whether such 
     change is consistent with the Domestic Terrorism Preparedness 
     Plan.

     ``SEC. 660. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     subtitle $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 and such sums as may 
     be necessary for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2005. Such 
     sums shall remain available until expended.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Mrs. Fowler) and a Member of the minority each will control 20 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Fowler).

                              {time}  1800

  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Traficant) the subcommittee ranking member for his work on the bill. I 
also want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Chairman Shuster) 
and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the ranking minority 
member of the full committee, for their support and help, as well.
  The gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) and I have worked long 
and hard these past several weeks on this, and I really deeply 
appreciate all of his advice and support on this.

[[Page 16158]]

  Mr. Speaker, it was a brisk April morning 5 years ago that America 
was awakened with horror to the frightening reality that we live in a 
world where our main streets are no longer immune from the terror that 
lurks around the world.
  The two posters that are here in front are illustrations from that 
time in Oklahoma. The pictures of that awful day are a sobering 
reminder of the new threats of evil that Americans face, but they also 
remind us of how grossly unprepared our Nation was and still is to 
respond to such a disaster.
  Mr. Speaker, tonight we have a tremendous opportunity to tackle this 
lingering threat to our national security that grows deeper each day. 
Right now our terrorism preparedness efforts are floundering without a 
national strategy and real authority to support it. Over 40 departments 
and agencies are involved in the Federal effort with a $9 billion price 
tag.
  Unfortunately, this effort has been tainted by bureaucrats bickering 
and battling over money and control, all under the guise of protecting 
and preparing Americans for a terrorist attack.
  For more than 2 years, this administration has fostered an unworkable 
system and has, until last week, opposed any measure to fix the 
problem. Federal agencies have been playing politics with the lives of 
our friends and neighbors.
  But this is not a partisan political issue by evidence of the support 
of my good friends and colleagues from across the aisle.
  We have heard from the men and women in communities across the Nation 
who are our emergency responders, whether they be police, firefighters 
or emergency personnel, no one knows who to turn to for help.
  These local responders know our preparedness programs have been 
independent and uncoordinated, resulting in overlapping and repetitive 
mistakes. It is an embarrassing alphabet soup.
  But the Council on Terrorist Preparedness, which is proposed in this 
bill, would eliminate these problems. It brings with it the authority 
of the President of the United States and requires the creation of a 
national strategy.
  H.R. 4210 eliminates the duplication of our Federal efforts and it 
strengthens our response capabilities. We are not attempting to 
reinvent the wheel by eliminating existing programs. This council will 
merely make our efforts more effective and better coordinated.
  Without these changes, our Federal effort remains a dysfunctional 
family full of bickering siblings looking to get the upper hand while 
endangering the lives of our loved ones.
  Let me be clear, the threat to our families is real. Just last week, 
the FBI arrested a group who apparently used the cover of night in a 
quiet North Carolina neighborhood to funnel funds to the terrorist 
group Hezbollah.
  This bill will not prevent us from a terrorist attack. However, it 
will help us prepare for the inevitable and ensure that our emergency 
personnel have the right training and equipment to save lives.
  The American people are depending on us. We must not fail them in 
this solemn responsibility.
  I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4210.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Preparedness Against Terrorism 
Act 2000 and want to offer my highest congratulations to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Fowler) on the splendid work that she 
has done, the persistence that she has demonstrated, and the 
determination to achieve something of everlasting value and 
significance to the country.
  I appreciate the support that the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Chairman Shuster) has given to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. 
Fowler) and our side, and I appreciate very greatly the steadfastness 
of the ranking member of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Traficant) who has devoted considerable time and effort and talent to 
the achievement of this legislation.
  But I also express my appreciation to the Office of Management and 
Budget, which from the very outset has not only had reservations about 
the bill but at various points said they were steadfastly opposed to 
the legislation.
  I had felt all along from the time that this issue was raised at the 
very outset that there was a problem that needed to be addressed, that 
we needed to have the right vehicle, and if we could work together on 
both sides of the aisle, we could accomplish something good and 
lasting. And I think we are at that point.
  In response to terrorist attacks in the United States already cited 
by the chairwoman, the World Trade Center bombings in 1993, the Murrah 
Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995, the Federal Government has 
increased efforts across the board to establish preparedness against 
terrorist attacks.
  We in the Congress have enacted legislation to increase funding for 
preparedness to deal with terrorism. The President has issued 
Presidential Decision Directives, PDDs, to coordinate those efforts.
  The funding for Federal counterterrorism programs has almost doubled 
from $6.5 billion in fiscal year 1998 to over $11 billion for the 
coming fiscal year.
  That is all well and good. The problem is that these Federal programs 
were established without having an overarching national strategy. That 
led to programs being created independently of each other without 
coordination amongst the programs and with fragmentation and 
overlapping efforts and duplicative programs.
  There are more than 90 terrorism preparedness training courses 
offered by such agencies as the Federal Emergency Management 
Administration, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, the 
Environmental Protection Agency, and many others.
  Many of these courses have similar content, but they often have 
different program criteria. As Members of Congress, we, our colleagues 
in this body, are approached by local government officials saying, ``we 
just do not know where to turn. We get the run-around. Do not see us, 
see some other agency.''
  And then there are some parts of the country and some communities and 
local units of government that get no training whatever for a variety 
of reasons, not turning to the right place, not putting the right 
application in, not phrasing it in the right way.
  So the subcommittee, to the great credit of the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Mrs. Fowler) and our ranking member, the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Traficant), held three hearings on emergency preparedness against 
terrorism attacks and confirmed in the process of those hearings the 
lack of a structured, coordinated Federal effort. State and local 
emergency responders testified that the current framework is a complex 
structure of uncoordinated and duplicative programs.
  Now, to address this matter, the administration, to their credit, 
created a National Domestic Preparedness Office within the FBI for the 
purpose of offering one-stop shopping information on preparedness 
programs. But the hearings have shown that this office has fallen far 
short of expectations.
  The General Accounting Office analyzed the issue. The panel created 
by Congress, a very long name, Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic 
Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass 
Destruction, we cannot even put that in an acronym, we do not do very 
well ourselves, but both entities analyzed and reported to the 
committee the importance of establishing a national terrorism 
preparedness strategy to clearly define the end goal of preparedness 
for State and local responders.
  That is what this legislation is all about, to ensure the development 
and the implementation of a coordinated, effective program to support 
State and local efforts.
  The central entity here after a lot of compromise, a lot of 
discussion between the chairwoman, the ranking member of the 
subcommittee, myself, our staff, and the Office of Management and 
Budget, resulted in the establishment in this bill of the President's

[[Page 16159]]

Council on Domestic Terrorism Preparedness.
  The first objective of this council is to establish coordination at a 
very high policy level. I believe that is the core. I think that is the 
most critical issue, and I say that based on my experience as a member 
of the Presidential Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism.
  What we found, in the aftermath of Pan Am 103, after a year inquiry 
into the causes of that tragedy and the splintered governmental 
response, was that, at the very highest policy levels of government, 
the assistant secretary of one entity would not talk to the director of 
an agency. The director of an agency could not communicate with an 
ambassador overseas.
  Now, that is just nonsense. We need information to flow rapidly to 
the people who are in a policy position to make decisions that will 
have effect. And that was the concern of our commission on Pan Am 103. 
We recommended a central coordinating force that would operate as a 
clearinghouse and a coordinating force within and amongst the key 
domestic government agencies and those that do our work overseas, such 
as the CIA and the Defense Intelligence Agency and the State Department 
Intelligence Office.
  Well, that is what we are going to do with this council, to 
coordinate and implement new efforts, eliminate duplication, eliminate 
overlapping, and assure that State and local emergency responders get 
all the assistance they need clearly, directly in a coordinated and 
focused manner.
  And the council can then turn and advise Congress on recommendations 
for allocating the resources, rationalizing government-wide budgets on 
terrorism preparedness, and help the Congress monitor the efforts to 
assure that we are developing and putting in place a defined, 
effective, national strategy, one that is centrally directed and that 
will be effective nationwide.
  That is the objective of this legislation. I think it moves in the 
right direction. There will be a few other issues to overcome, 
relatively minor ones in my opinion, but I think that we can overcome 
those issues working together as we have done up to this point.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Isakson) who is a member of the subcommittee and who has 
worked very diligently with us on this legislation.
  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Mrs. Fowler) for her tremendous work on this legislation and 
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) the ranking member of the 
subcommittee.
  Mr. Speaker, on a warm summer evening in 1996, in my home of Atlanta, 
Georgia, my daughter Julie and her friend from Washington, D.C., 
attended the Olympic Festival with tens of thousands of Americans and 
foreign visitors from all over the world.
  On the same night, a terrorist bomb blew up, a U.S. citizen from 
Albany, Georgia, a foreign correspondent from Turkey were killed, and 
hundreds of Atlantans and others were injured.
  The story the next day was more about the chaos of coordination, or 
lack thereof; and the Federal Government and all our resources, as well 
as State and local, were there.

                              {time}  1815

  Because of Oklahoma City, because of the trade center in New York, 
because of the subway in Tokyo, and because of my hometown of Atlanta, 
we know that terrorism and its attacks are a reality. And because of 
the hearings that the gentlewoman from Florida held and the ranking 
member held, we also came, I came, to a reasonable conclusion: those 
with the evil in their heart prepared to execute a terrorist act 
probably are better prepared to execute than we are to respond.
  This bill changes that matrix. It coordinates the multiplicity and 
multiple levels of authority. It pulls us together with a common goal 
to be ready to respond and in fact ready to retard a terroristic act on 
the soil of our country and an international terroristic act beyond. We 
have no higher priority in the 21st century than the protection of our 
citizens, than to give them the coordination to protect them against 
the most dangerous and threatening threat of the 21st century. I 
commend the gentlewoman.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Traficant), the ranking member of the subcommittee.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Mrs. Fowler), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), 
and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar). I want to compliment 
the staff, and I want to pay tribute to the entire Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure. There is a lot of talk about dealing 
with terrorism, but while everybody is talking the talk, our committee 
has walked the walk.
  I am a little bit disappointed in this legislation; but I am going to 
support it because the original concept that I believe is the proper 
concept would have created the Office of Terrorism Preparedness in the 
Executive Office of the President with a director appointed similar to 
the powers of the drug czar. This has been watered down. But I 
congratulate the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Fowler) because a half 
a loaf is better than no loaf at all.
  Let us talk about the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 
We have passed through this Congress H.R. 809, the very first step to 
tackling domestic terrorism. H.R. 809 reforms the Federal Protective 
Service. Be advised at the time of the bombing of the Murrah Building 
out in Oklahoma City, there was one guard guarding three buildings; and 
that guard, not to demean the contract guards, but was not even a full-
time FPS guard. We passed that. We are having problems with the other 
body to some degree and the administration on it, and that bill should 
be passed expeditiously because it sets the foundation and the 
framework for a domestic preparedness strategy.
  But that is what this bill is all about. The bottom line, the entity 
that was created to coordinate these programs, the FBI's national 
domestic preparedness office, has not done the job. They have not done 
the job. They do not coordinate. In addition, to make that point, the 
General Accounting Office after an extensive review and the 
congressionally commissioned Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response 
Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction, which 
the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) so eloquently alluded to, 
we have already commissioned these things; but we commission so many 
things and do not follow through.
  That is why the gentlewoman from Florida is to be commended. The 
bottom line is this is not rocket science, folks. This council on 
domestic terrorism preparedness within the Executive Office of the 
President will do those coordinative efforts, will make those contacts, 
will bring the State and local communities into a coordinated national 
Federal strategy. And it is not going to end there. I think in talking 
about a half a loaf that we should make these incremental gains toward 
a better program of domestic antiterrorism measures, but we should not 
stop there.
  There was a recent article printed that said our borders are so wide 
open a nuclear device could be slipped across any part of our border 
and literally launched at one of our cities from within our own 
territory. I believe that was USA Today. My God, what is happening 
here? I think the White House should be listening. I think the other 
body should pay strict attention to H.R. 809 and now to this finely 
crafted bill. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure under 
the chairmanship of the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and 
the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) I think has done a 
tremendous job in bringing that to the attention of the American people 
and developing a legislative criteria to promulgate these programs and 
place them into some practical action. That is what we need.

[[Page 16160]]

  So although I am not totally satisfied, I do support the bill. I hope 
that it has resounding numbers and that it will have and reach success 
in the other body and be signed into law, that along with H.R. 809, the 
reform of the Federal Protective Service, which I think is so very 
important.
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest), a member of the full committee who has been 
working closely with us on the development of this legislation.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for 
yielding me this time. When we consider the size of the United States, 
the diversity of this great Nation, the range of our population and the 
configuration of the potential danger throughout the world, the United 
States above all countries should have the kind of strategy, the kind 
of policy, the kind of coordination, the kind of vision to protect our 
citizens. Up to this point, that strategy and that policy has been 
fragmented.
  With this particular bill, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Fowler) 
and the members of the committee that have come together and their 
staff to coordinate this activity, that fragmentation will no longer 
exist, the policy will be straightforward; and America will be safer.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for the bill.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy in 
yielding me this time.
  Domestic terrorism is one of the most fundamental threats to the 
liveability of our community. I have greatly enjoyed working with the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Fowler) and the leadership of our 
committee on the Preparedness Against Terrorism Act. It is providing 
important coordination as has been detailed by the preceding speakers, 
and I want to add my strong support and am proud to be a cosponsor.
  But I would like to focus, if I could, for just 2 minutes on one 
particular aspect that I appreciate the subcommittee adding into the 
effort and that deals with the critical area of transportation. 
Providing safe and accessible transportation choices for all members of 
the community is a critical role for the functioning of that community. 
There are 350,000 Americans who work every day in providing public 
transportation services that allow our communities to work. And there 
are more than 6 million Americans a day who ride transportation 
services to work, to school, and to other functions in their community. 
Ensuring their safety from acts of terrorism is a critical step toward 
the larger goal of providing a safe working environment and safe 
transportation.
  The Preparedness Against Terrorism Act adds an important launching 
point toward meeting this goal. It includes critical provisions for the 
first time in Federal statute for studying the threats from terrorism 
on our Nation's transportation systems and strategies for improving our 
ability to prepare, prevent, and respond to these potential attacks.
  We had demonstrated and our colleague from Georgia mentioned a few 
moments ago the release of the poisonous gas in 1995 on the Japanese 
subway system. We saw how it faced the unique and increasing potential 
threat from terrorist attack given the difficulty in monitoring, 
identifying and responding to threats of this nature.
  When accidents or crime occur on buses or rail, they often capture 
the news headlines. Despite the high profile given to such instances, 
transit, of course, remains one of the safest modes of transportation; 
but sometimes you would not know that through the headlines.
  Sadly, in recent years there have been a series of events across the 
country. In Washington, D.C., and California, Wisconsin and Texas, bus 
drivers have been attacked, threatened and injured. In several 
instances passengers as well have been injured as a result of these 
attacks. When these types of tragedies occur, we have real problems in 
terms of making sure that people use the system. For the thousands of 
men and women who work as bus drivers, rail or ferry operators, we need 
to highlight the important job they perform and recognize the 
responsibility they take on with each passenger they carry.
  I appreciate the provisions in this bill that have the director 
develop in its annual preparedness plan and risk assessment looking at 
what happens for transportation. But I hope that this will serve as a 
springboard for our doing a better job for the entire transportation 
system to deal with the needs of passengers and transportation workers.
  I have enjoyed working with the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. 
Fowler) and the transit union to include these provisions in the bill, 
but I hope this tip of the iceberg is something we can work on in our 
committee to extend these provisions because every day Americans 
deserve maximum safety and security when they use the transportation 
systems. I appreciate the work here, and I hope we will be able to 
follow up on it.
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Kuykendall), a member of the full committee, who has 
been working very closely with us on this legislation.
  Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for 
yielding time. In my previous life I was a city councilman and sat on 
the Los Angeles County emergency preparedness commission.
  In Los Angeles County, we have got about 10 million people. That is a 
little nation all by itself. We dealt with many of these risks that we 
are looking at here from a national perspective. We are a high-profile 
location in Los Angeles. We have subways and we have LAX Airport. We 
have the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, targets to terrorists 
that would be immense if they wanted to successfully attack one of 
them.
  I came to Congress, and I found myself sitting in the House Committee 
on Armed Services as a member of that committee and finding out in a 
recent study we just received that the greatest threat for loss of life 
to Americans in the next decade is acts of terrorism within the 
boundaries of our Nation. Not to our military forces deployed in Kosovo 
or in the Middle East, but the greatest threat for loss of life to 
Americans in the next decade is to civilians principally within the 
boundaries of the United States.
  If you put high-profile targets, and that is the greatest threat for 
the next 10 years, it seems only understandable that you would want to 
coordinate a Federal exercise so that you could get the benefits of 
their expertise. We have had over 40 agencies spend $9 billion last 
year. In 2 years one city got eight training programs from three 
different agencies. We have had 12 States that did not get any 
training. In addition to that, there are 100 Federal terrorism response 
teams, but there is no plan on how they should all coordinate their 
effort.
  This bill fixes that. This bill takes a giant step toward protecting 
American civilians, Americans who are going to be the most likely 
targets in this next decade. Although it seems relatively small in 
stature when you stack it up to the bills we take on every day, I think 
this could have an immense amount of impact on our personal lives over 
the next decade.
  I urge Members' support of the bill.
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Shays), who is chairman of the Subcommittee on 
National Security for the Committee on Government Reform and has been 
working very diligently on this issue this year.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this 
time. As we work on this very important bill, I rise with some 
disappointment that she will not be here next year to continue her 
excellent work.
  I rise in support of the Preparedness Against Terrorism Act because I 
think it is an outstanding bill that addresses some real concerns. The 
Subcommittee on National Security of the Committee on Government Reform 
held eight

[[Page 16161]]

hearings on terrorism in this Congress. The issues we looked at 
included the need for integrated foreign and domestic threat 
assessments, better coordination of Federal programs to combat 
terrorism, and a clearer focus on the needs of local and State first 
responders.

                              {time}  1830

  The bill we are considering this evening would address the concerns 
that my subcommittee has heard expressed in testimony. With more than 
40 Federal agencies and programs involved, and no clear national 
strategy to guide program spending, current policy is clearly confused, 
and there is no way to know if money is being targeted effectively.
  Currently, only a coordinator on the National Security Council has 
any responsibility, but no authority over Federal counterterrorism 
programs. Some have been calling for appointment of a terrorism czar on 
the model of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
  Mr. Speaker, I think this bill strikes the right balance between 
those options by making one person in the Executive Office of the 
President responsible to coordinate Federal spending to combat 
terrorism while keeping the emphasis on the primary response role of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, and local police, fire, 
medical, and National Guard units.
  This is an outstanding bill, it will do important things, and I urge 
my colleagues to support this legislation. And I, again, thank the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Fowler) for her fine work on this 
legislation.
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Foley).
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentlewoman from Florida 
(Chairwoman Fowler) for her leadership on this bill, as well as the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar).
  Let me give my colleagues a little relation to disaster when it 
occurs, how difficult it is for communities, and while I make no 
comparison between terrorism and hurricanes, I was in the Florida 
Senate when Hurricane Andrew struck; and I was asked to chair a 
committee that would dole out the necessary resources to communities to 
dig ourselves out, if you will, of Hurricane Andrew.
  The one thing that struck me was the lack of preparedness on behalf 
of all agencies. Everyone was scrambling, everyone was trying to 
provide and do good things, but everybody seemed to be in each other's 
way, because nobody had a template as to how to do it. When we look at 
the sheer fright and disaster that would accompany a domestic terrorism 
incident, we recognize firsthand this is so important, proactive 
legislation, in order to avoid the chaos that ensued after Hurricane 
Andrew.
  We went through Oklahoma. We have seen other instances where 
potentially the United States could be a target of terrorist 
activities, the Hamas, other groups. Hizbollah we know are reportedly 
organizing and raising funds in America. We know Osama bin Laden has 
perpetrated tremendous acts of violence against citizens in our 
embassies in countries.
  Now we recognize we have an opportunity here with this great bill, a 
bipartisan bill, to make America the leader both of hopefully 
preventing terrorism, because one thing I realize about Washington, 
people say why did we do that, one reason we do it is to be proactive, 
to put in place the necessary structure in order to not only signal to 
terrorists that we are serious, we are investigating your activities 
and we are going to thwart and stop your activities, but God forbid 
they occur, that at least we have a proper coordinated response in 
order to assist our citizens in bringing about some semblance of order 
to the communities.
  I pray because of the proactivity of both Members of Congress and the 
committee, we will not only send a message to every terrorist 
worldwide, we are not only watching you, we are prepared to respond to 
you, and we will stop you before your deathly deeds are done.
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) for the 
purposes of a colloquy.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. 
Fowler), the Chair of the subcommittee, for yielding to me.
  Is it our intention that the legislation not conflict with existing 
Presidential decision directives, specifically PDD62, that this bill 
is, indeed, intended to create an entity to work within PDD62's working 
group structure?
  Mrs. FOWLER. Reclaiming my time, yes, that is correct. Section 657 of 
this important legislation enables the council to participate in the 
National Security Council's working group structure. Our intention is 
to make the existing preparedness subgroups more effective.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. If the gentlewoman would yield further, subsection 14 
of section 653 states that the council shall establish general policies 
regarding financial assistance to States. It is my understanding, I 
think our understanding, that these policies are not intended to 
specifically direct where grants should go or to micromanage the agency 
programs.
  Mrs. FOWLER. That is correct. The council should issue general 
policies for the purpose of implementing the overall plan. The council 
should provide assistance to agencies in identifying what types of 
projects or areas are consistent with the overall plan and should be 
priorities for funding.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2\1/2\ minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I do so just for the purpose of correcting what I think 
is a mischaracterization of the bill by my good friend, the ranking 
member of the subcommittee. This is not a half a loaf. This is 
virtually the whole loaf. To be sure, it does not include the original 
language of the bill to establish within the Executive Office of the 
President an entity to coordinate, but neither did we achieve that 
objective in the Aviation Security Legislation of 1990 after the report 
of our Presidential commission established by President Bush.
  When we reported to the President the recommendation to establish 
within the Department of Transportation a new office, a new assistant 
Secretary, the President's response was that is really the prerogative, 
the privilege of the executive branch to establish such new 
authorities.
  We acknowledge that is the prerogative of the executive. When the 
Office of Management and Budget in this context raised the same 
question, what we did was get together and ask how can we achieve the 
same objective and not transgress into what is appropriately executive 
branch prerogatives.
  I think this coordinating council which we have established here and 
a precedent for which is a coordinating council that was established 
also in the Bush administration to deal with a plethora of 
transportation programs when the subcommittee that I chaired at the 
time found 137 different transportation programs in multiple 
departments of government, none of them being coordinated.
  Then the Bush Administration's Office of Management and Budget came 
and said, we agree with your idea to have a coordinating council, and 
we are here to support it. That initiative has worked very well, as I 
anticipate this coordinating council will work very well.
  Again, I compliment the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Fowler) on her 
initiative for being so stick-to-itive on this matter and bringing it 
to a very successful conclusion.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to just thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. 
Oberstar), the ranking member. I think the work that we have done on 
this legislation is an example of how this legislative process is 
supposed to work.
  When we see a problem and we work together to develop what is going 
to be the best solution for that problem, and it evolves over time, 
that is what has happened with this legislation, that it

[[Page 16162]]

has been a work in progress for several months now. I think the project 
that we have produced today is an excellent product.
  It is not half a loaf as the gentleman said, it is the whole loaf, 
because the point of this all along was to establish an entity within 
the Executive Office of the President; and that is what we are doing, 
establishing this council within the executive office that will be able 
to coordinate and oversee and eliminate the duplication that occurs 
right now in these programs throughout our Federal Government. So it 
really has been an example of how we should work on every piece of 
legislation in this body together.
  I also just wanted to point out, Mr. Speaker, that this legislation 
has been endorsed by the National League of Cities, the National 
Emergency Management Association, and the International Association of 
Fire Chiefs. These three groups have worked very closely with us, and 
we have taken their input as we have crafted this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the following letters:

                                                    July 25, 2000.
     Hon. Tillie K. Fowler,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Fowler: We are writing on behalf of our 
     members to express support for H.R. 4210, the ``Preparedness 
     Against Terrorism Act of 2000.'' This legislation will help 
     address our concerns about a coordinated system of federal 
     resources to communities throughout this country.
       Local fire, police, and emergency medical services 
     personnel are the first responders to the scene of a 
     terrorist threat or attack. It is crucial that the federal 
     government develop and implement a comprehensive national 
     domestic preparedness plan as provided for in H.R. 4210.
       Our organizations urge the swift adoption of this bill in 
     the House of Representatives.
           Sincerely,
     National League of Cities.
                                  ____

                                                National Emergency


                                       Management Association,

                                                    July 25, 2000.
     Hon. Tillie K. Fowler,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       The National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) 
     represents the state directors of emergency management who 
     are responsible for protecting lives and property from 
     natural disasters and man-made events such as domestic 
     terrorism. State emergency management serves as the central 
     coordination point for all state agency resources during an 
     incident and provides interface with federal agencies when 
     assistance is needed.
       NEMA supports the concepts embodied in H.R. 4210 that 
     strive to improve federal coordination efforts for domestic 
     preparedness including the development of a national 
     strategy. We support provisions in the bill that require 
     budget and program reviews for federal agencies involved with 
     domestic preparedness and that they are aligned with the 
     goals and objectives identified in the national strategy. 
     NEMA would like to see the greatest possible authority 
     provided to the President's Council to affect real change in 
     how federal agencies coordinate with each other and with 
     states on this critical issue. State and local emergency 
     management and responder input to the Council is extremely 
     important as they are the ones who will respond to and manage 
     the event for the first several hours. H.R. 4210 includes a 
     provision that establishes a State and local advisory group.
       NEMA commends you for your efforts to improve our nation's 
     domestic preparedness program and we look forward to 
     continuing to work with you to ensure H.R. 4210 meets its 
     intended goal of enhancing preparedness and response 
     capabilities among all levels of government.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Joseph F. Myers,
                                                   NEMA President.

  Mr. Speaker, as stated earlier, this is an excellent bill. This is an 
important bill, because what we are doing here is ensuring that each 
and every community in our country will be better prepared when, and 
if, a terrorist act does occur.
  American lives are at stake here, and we cannot waste any more time. 
We need to work together to make sure that those emergency responders 
that are the first ones on call when an instance occurs that they have 
the training, they have the resources, they have the equipment that 
they need to respond. Again, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4210, 
the Preparedness Against Terrorism Act. Domestic terrorism has affected 
my life profoundly. I said to myself after the death of 169 innocent 
men, women, and children in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that I would 
lend my support and endeavor indefatigably to do everything possible to 
ensure that when terrorism touches America again, we will be as 
prepared as possible to deal with the consequences. However, today, the 
truth is the American government is just not able to properly deal with 
a massive biological/chemical/nuclear terrorist attack.
  In 1998, the Attorney General created the National Domestic 
Preparedness Office (NDPO) within the FBI to coordinate federal 
terrorism preparedness programs. Prior to this switch, the Department 
of Defense was the lead body. The NDPO's mission is to coordinate the 
more than forty federal departments and agencies with programs to 
assist state and local emergency responders--firefighters, police, and 
ER workers--with planning, training, equipment, and exercise drills 
necessary to respond to a conventional or non-conventional weapon of 
mass destruction (WMD) terrorist incident. Unfortunately, the NDPO has 
not been able to perform as proposed due to funding shortfalls and a 
lack of authority necessary to execute its duties. I think that it is 
inexcusable that the Clinton/Gore administration has decided to set 
their priorities elsewhere without dealing with the defense of this 
nation and its citizens first, but don't take my word for it.
  A recent congressionally mandated study preformed by the ``Advisory 
Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving 
WMD'' chaired by Governor James Gilmore and researched by RAND came to 
the same conclusion. Their report stated ``that the complex nature of 
current Federal organizations and programs makes it very difficult for 
state and local authorities to obtain Federal information, assistance, 
funding, and support.'' In addition, the Panel concluded ``the concept 
behind'' the NDPO is sound, but it just was not doing what it was meant 
to do. Surely, the current administration has not done enough. I 
congratulate Ms. Fowler for her intrepid work on this and her steps to 
get the vital issue of improving our homeland defense addressed.
  As the days in this Congress wind down, I promise to make my voice 
heard and leadership known in ensuring that Americans are as protected 
as possible against biological/chemical/nuclear terrorist attacks in 
the next Congress. I am going to fight to maintain and increase 
America's prevention and consequence management abilities. The federal 
government spends billions of dollars on fighting terrorism, but the 
American people need to know that their funds are not wasted and go to 
the most relevant programs to ensure their security.
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Fowler) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4210, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________