FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 09, 2004

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

Pelosi: Congress Must Act Now to Pass 9/11 Legislation

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Whip Steny Hoyer, Caucus Chair Bob Menendez, and Ranking Members Jane Harman and Jim Turner held a news conference in the Capitol this morning to announce the introduction of legislation to implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations.  Below are Pelosi’s remarks:

“Good morning.  Thank you all for coming.  We are here today to address the threat to the American people posed by terrorism by working to enact the unanimous recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.

“Eighteen months ago, a Joint Inquiry by the congressional intelligence committees produced a bipartisan call for change in the structure of the intelligence community.  Nothing came of it. 

“Seven weeks ago, the 9/11 Commission issued its report recommending change – in the intelligence community and elsewhere – to deal with the terrorist threat.  The Commission coupled its recommendations with a call for urgent action. 

“What was the response?  The congressional recess went on, largely undisturbed, even after the threat level for New York and Washington was raised.

“There has been too much delay.  Congress must use the time left in this session to enact legislation that addresses the problems identified so clearly by the 9/11 Commission and others.  

“To focus our efforts, more than 100 of my Democratic colleagues are joining me today in introducing a bill that translates the Commission’s recommendations into legislative language.  We invited the Speaker and House Republicans to join in co-sponsoring the bill, but none has accepted.  I am still hopeful that we can proceed on a bipartisan basis.

“I also welcome the bipartisan Senate bill that has the support of the 9/11 Commission and the families of the victims of 9/11, and I’m certain that many of my colleagues will support the companion bill in the House.  It will provide another gust of wind to help us blow over the obstacles to reform.

“These bills will give the committees of jurisdiction a framework for considering the 9/11 Commission’s proposals on their merits, and reporting them to the House quickly for debate and votes.  We are also today calling on Speaker Hastert to appoint a bipartisan task force to reform how the House conducts its oversight responsibilities.  The current system needs to be revised, and our security demands a bipartisan reform process.

“Our words of comfort this week to the families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks are diminished by the critical work that remains unfinished by the Bush Administration and the Congress.  We should have had something passed by now.  We must improve upon that record in the remaining days of this session.”

“ 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