    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 31 (Monday, August 6, 2007)]
    [Pages 1040-1041]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement on Signing the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11
    Commission Act of 2007

    August 3, 2007

        Today I signed into law the ``Implementing Recommendations of the 9/
    11 Commission Act of 2007.'' This legislation builds upon the
    considerable progress we have made in strengthening our defenses and
    protecting Americans since the attacks of September 11, 2001. In the
    largest restructuring of our Government since World War II, we created
    the Department of Homeland Security to better coordinate the protection
    and response capabilities of our Government. The Director of National
    Intelligence leads a restructured intelligence community that is better
    able to uncover, understand, and counter threats from terrorists. To
    implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, I have issued
    numerous Executive orders, Presidential directives, and national
    strategies. I have also signed into law the Intelligence Reform and
    Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the PATRIOT Act, and other important
    pieces of legislation.
        I am pleased that the legislation I signed today protects Americans
    from being unduly prosecuted for reporting activity that could lead to
    acts of terrorism. I also appreciate the steps taken to modernize the
    Visa Waiver Program, particularly the additional security measures, but
    I will continue to work with Congress to advance our security and
    foreign policy objectives by allowing greater flexibility to bring some
    of our closest allies into the program. I will also continue to work
    with Congress to ensure the workability of the cargo screening
    provisions in a way that increases our vigilance on homeland security
    while ensuring the continuance of vital commerce. And I appreciate the
    willingness of Congress to remove several provisions that had previously
    generated concern.
        There is still other work to be done. I continue to believe that
    Congress should act on the outstanding 9/11 Commission recommendations
    to reform the legislative branch's oversight of intelligence and
    counterterrorism activities, which the Commission described as
    dysfunctional. While this legislation does not heed the Commission's
    advice, I hope Congress revisits the issue soon.
        I also believe it is important to recognize the urgent need for
    Congress to pass legislation to modernize the Foreign Intelligence
    Surveillance Act, a decades-old law that should be updated to address
    changes in communication technology while protecting the civil liberties
    of our citizens. The Director of National Intelligence has stated
    unequivocally that without this change in the law, we will continue to
    miss significant amounts of information that we should be collecting to
    protect against potential terrorist attacks.
        Congress should also continue to strive to better target grant
    dollars to cities and States based on risk. This legislation makes some
    progress, but it also authorizes billions of dollars for grants and
    other programs that are unnecessary or should not be funded at such
    excessive levels. I will not request this excessive funding in my 2009
    budget request.
        I thank members of both parties in Congress who worked on this
    legislation, and I appreciate the willingness of members to strengthen
    provisions we believed would have weakened our security. Leaders in
    Washington should never forget that our most important duty is to
    protect the American people. I will continue to work with the Congress
    to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep our Nation safe.

    Note: H.R. 1, approved August 3, was assigned Public Law No. 110-53.

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