[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 24044-24045]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED FUNDING FOR HOMELAND SECURITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pence). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin) is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Senate Appropriations 
Committee passed the defense appropriations bill containing $35 billion 
in funding to enhance our Nation's efforts to combat terrorism.
  Last week, the House missed an opportunity to do the same. The 
ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations had proposed an 
amendment to the defense appropriations act to add $7.2 billion for 
homeland security. Unfortunately, the rule failed to protect this 
amendment from a point of order, and the House was prevented from 
voting on one of the most important issues facing Americans today.
  Considering the Bush administration issued a third terror alert on 
Monday, it is imperative that Congress act now to provide greater 
security for the American people. Since September 11, States and cities 
have been forced to dig deep into their coffers to pay for unexpected 
emergency programs. I have met with Rhode Island officials to learn how 
they have responded to this crisis and to gauge their need for 
additional counterterrorism and security improvements.
  In the 6 weeks following the terrorist attacks, my State spent $18 
million on homeland security and needs $56 million more to upgrade 
emergency response in public health systems. State and local 
governments have done an exceptional job at pinpointing and 
prioritizing areas in need of improvement to ensure the safety of their 
citizens, and Congress must act now to provide them with the resources 
that they require.

[[Page 24045]]

  Rhode Island's leaders recognize that law enforcement and emergency 
responders represent the first line of defense in the domestic fight 
against terrorism. As a result, they hope to invest $5.8 million for 
improvements in coordinated emergency response efforts. Through new 
equipment and training for hazmat teams, the State will be better 
prepared to deal with the threat of weapons of mass destruction.
  Also, the anthrax attacks highlight the need for a strong public 
health infrastructure. Rhode Island has proposed a $48 million plan to 
enhance medical surveillance, research, and investigation. Our health 
officials must be prepared to identify a biological attack in its early 
stages, respond swiftly to the threat, and prevent further 
contamination.
  As an original cosponsor of the Bioterrorism Prevention Act of 2001, 
which would provide $7 billion to improve our national public health 
infrastructure, I applaud the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) for 
proposing funding to address the threat of bioterrorism in our 
communities.
  One particularly important provision included in the Obey amendment 
was a budget increase for the Coast Guard, which has now taken on new 
responsibilities since September 11. Daily life of Rhode Island is 
intricately tied to the ocean and Narragansett Bay. Commercial fishing 
netted $79 million for the State's economy in 1999, and recreational 
boating is a popular pastime among our residents.
  The Coast Guard's dependable presence and its work to keep our 
seaways safe have made them well respected among our boaters and our 
residents. However, the Coast Guard has been plagued by dwindling 
budgets in recent years, preventing personnel increases and equipment 
improvements. As a result, of the 41 nations with coastal patrols, the 
U.S. Coast Guard now has the 39th oldest fleet.
  Nonetheless, the Federal Government expects the Coast Guard to patrol 
the Nation's 361 ports and increase inspections of foreign vessels, and 
121 Rhode Island reservists have been called to this mission. 
Commandant Admiral James Loy has pleaded with Congress for years to 
raise funding levels for the Coast Guard, but we have again taken the 
wind out of their sails.
  Moreover, the Obey amendment would have provided critical funding to 
strengthen our border patrol. Each day, 1.25 million people, 500,000 
vehicles, and 50,000 containers cross our borders; yet far too few 
vehicles, containers, packages, and other possessions are properly 
checked. We must provide the Border Patrol with the resources needed to 
detect and prevent terrorism at our borders.
  Although the House was not able to address these and many other 
concerns by voting on the Obey amendment, I strongly encourage my 
colleagues to continue pushing for increased homeland security funding 
so that we may provide Americans the protection and peace of mind that 
they demand and that they deserve.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. LANGEVIN. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for raising 
these issues, especially his statement about the Coast Guard. I 
represent San Diego, California; and we only inspect less than 10 
percent of the ships coming in. We need more positions for the Coast 
Guard. I thank the gentleman for his efforts here.
  Mr. LANGEVIN. I could not agree more.

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