Restoring Security and Certainty at US Borders

(Thursday, November 17, 2005) This morning the House Homeland Security Committee approved comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to address security problems across U.S. borders. H.R. 4312, the Border Security and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2005, eliminates the current “Catch and Release” policy and addresses communication, organizational, and operational problems across the Department of Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter T. King (NY) spoke with CNN’s Lou Dobbs on Wednesday evening about the proposed legislation. “There’s a real crisis of confidence in the country,” he said. According to the King, the public is skeptical about government’s ability to control traffic at the nation’s borders. H.R. 4312 demonstrates operational control and an aggressive plan to defend the nation against terrorists.

Chairman King Introduces Border Security Bill

Will Establish Operational Control of Borders, End “Catch and Release” Practice

(Tuesday, November 15, 2005) Last night, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter T. King (NY) introduced H.R. 4312, The Border Security and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2005. The bipartisan bill takes steps to enhance security along America’s borders and ensure the removal of all aliens who attempt to enter the United States illegally.

Subcommittee for Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity Chairman Dan Lungren (CA) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Loretta Sanchez (CA) are original cosponsors of the legislation.

“The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th made it clear that our nation must be more aggressive in preventing terrorists from entering the United States,” King said. “This bill recognizes the need to bolster our border security capabilities by authorizing more funding for Border Patrol agents, utilizing physical barriers and state-of-the-art technologies, and promoting international policies that will help deter illegal immigration and protect valid claims of asylum.

“We must establish operational control of our borders and swiftly remove illegal immigrants once they arrive,” he continued. “And the time to act is now.”

Responding to Catastrophic Events: The Role of the Military and National Guard in Disaster Response

(Wednesday, November 9, 2005) The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities (Committee on Armed Services) held a joint hearing Wednesday to evaluate whether the role of the military and National Guard should be re-examined and to what extent there is coordination between the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security in responding to disasters of great magnitude. Witnesses included the Honorable Michael P. Jackson, Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; the Honorable Paul McHale, Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense, U.S. Department of Defense; Admiral Thomas H. Collins, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (DHS) ; Major General Richard J. Rowe, Jr. the Director of Operations at DOD's Northern Command; and Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum the National Guard Bureau Chief (DOD) .

Federal Support for Homeland Security Information Sharing: The Role of the Information Sharing PM

(Tuesday, November 8, 2005) On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment held a hearing to discuss the Information Sharing Program Manager’s role in sharing homeland security information to prevent terrorist attacks. Witnesses included Mr. John Russack, Information Sharing Program Manager for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; the Honorable Lee Hamilton, Vice Chairman of the 9/11 Public Discourse Project; and Mr. William Crowell, with the Markle Foundation Task Force on National Security in the Information Age

National Strategy and Website for Pandemic Influenza

(Tuesday, November 1, 2005) President Bush visited the National Institutes of Health this morning to outline a strategy for protecting Americans against pandemic outbreaks of the flu. The Administration’s National Strategy includes expanding vaccine production capacities, stockpiling treatments and informing the public about how individuals can protect themselves and prevent the spread of influenza.

A new Web site is now available, run as a component of the Health and Human Services Risk Communication and Public Engagement Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. Its mission is to become the authoritative online source of U.S. government information on flu pandemics.