[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 13477]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
 DEMOCRATS WANT TO PROTECT THE HOMELAND BUT THE PRESIDENT IS FIGHTING 
                            POPULAR MEASURES

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, for the first 4 months of this year, the new 
Democratic-led House approved key legislation that will move us in a 
new direction and allow us better defense of our Nation and strengthen 
our military. Unfortunately, time and time again, the President has 
either vetoed our efforts or has threatened to veto.
  During our first 100 hours, we passed a bill implementing the 
recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, including 
improvements in securing our ports, our border and our infrastructure. 
The administration currently opposes this legislation.
  This House also approved the Rail and Mass Transit Security Act, 
which requires the Homeland Security Department to develop plans to 
protect our rail and mass transit. Despite strong bipartisan support 
here in the House, President Bush has threatened to veto it.
  Mr. Speaker, protecting our homeland is not a partisan issue. This 
House approved both of these critical homeland security bills with the 
votes of both Republicans and Democrats. I would hope the President 
would stop being an obstructionist and instead support our important 
bills.

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