FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 04, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi: ‘Real Security Begins at Home’

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  “Last week, Democrats across the country rolled out our agenda for Real Security in America.  Democrats believe that real security begins at home. 

“Just yesterday, a report by the Inspector General of the Department of Justice reconfirmed what we already knew – our ports are not as safe as they must be.  In the case of a terrorist attack on a cruise ship or ferry, there is confusion about the role of the Coast Guard and the FBI that could delay our response and limit our effectiveness. 

“God has blessed America with the patriotism, courage, and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform who protect our country at home and abroad.  We must honor their commitment of these brave women by giving them all they need to make our nation stronger and safer.   

“Democrats stand together to ensure unparalleled military strength, we declare that we are committed to projecting America’s power to protect the American people and to defend our values and freedoms whenever and wherever they are threatened.  We stand together to defeat terrorism and to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, to make 2006 a year of significant transition in Iraq; to prepare effectively for natural disasters and epidemics; to free America from our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and we intend to be energy independent within 10 years; and to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission – and we intend to do that on the first day that we take over the Congress of the United States. 

“In terms of homeland security, don’t take it from us, the 9/11 Commission has said that the Republican Administration has D’s and F’s in implementing its recommendations.  We will provide our first responders with the training, equipment, and cutting edge technology they need.  It’s hard to explain why nearly five years after 9/11 that our first responders still do not have real time communication – they cannot communicate to save lives.  We saw the disadvantages during Hurricane Katrina. 

“Screening 100 percent of containers bound for the U.S, at their point of origin is also a priority.  In Hong Kong, 11 million containers pass through two terminals there and 100 percent of them are screened, but in the U.S. only 6 percent of the containers coming into our ports are screened. 

“We must also prevent outsourcing of critical components of our national security infrastructure to foreign interests.  We insist that we have protections at our chemical and nuclear facilities in our country – these are things that can be easily done, we know how to do it, and this Administration and this Congress have resisted. 

“Mothers across the country are worried about their sons and daughters serving in Iraq.  They are concerned that only 6 percent of cargo coming into our ports is inspected, and the other 94 percent then travel through our inland waterways, on our highways, across our country.  They are worried that we aren’t as prepared as we should be to keep their families safe in a terrorist attack, or a natural disaster. 

“Democrats believe that together, America can do better.

“Security begins at home, and we stand here united with a clear message that real security for all Americans is our first priority.  Democrats are committed to projecting America’s power to protect the American people and defend our freedom – whenever and wherever it is threatened.

“‘To provide for the common defense.’  These words from the preamble to our Constitution are our first responsibility as elected officials, and they are our promise to the American people.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi