[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4435]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      DEMOCRATIC REAL SECURITY PLAN: REAL SECURITY STARTS AT HOME

  (Mr. PASCRELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, yesterday congressional Democrats unveiled 
our detailed agenda to fully secure our Nation. Since 9/11, we have 
worked to make America safer, and we have attempted to work in a 
nonpartisan way, the record will show. Immediately after 9/11, myself 
and some Democrats were given the assignment to structure ways of 
improving our intelligence, aiding our first responders, and securing 
our infrastructure.
  And really it is unconscionable that some Republicans, some, have 
said that this party had to wait till yesterday to provide an agenda. I 
don't know where they have been for the last 4 years. This is 
absolutely unacceptable. We pushed for a Homeland Security Department. 
We wanted a secretary to sit at the table and be part of the Cabinet. 
The independent 9/11 Commission gave President Bush failing grades on 
America's preparedness. Dirty bombs and other deadly materials are 
still able to enter the United States through unsecured ports and 
airports. The administration has failed to meet the basic needs.
  Democrats have a plan. We will implement all of the 9/11 Commission 
recommendations. We will improve border security; invest in mass 
transit security; fully man, train and equip first responders; and we 
will screen 100 percent of the containers before they come into this 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, we will make America safer.

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