FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 07, 2004

CONTACT: Brendan Daly 202-226-7616

Pelosi: ‘Democratic Bill Honors Work of 9/11 Commission and Makes the American People Safer'

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke late tonight on the House floor in support of an amendment by Congressman Bob Menendez of New Jersey that is a substitute to H.R. 10, the Republican 9/11 intelligence reform bill. The Menendez substitute merges two Senate bills and implements all of the recommendations of the independent 9/11 Commission. Below are Pelosi’s remarks:

“Thank you, Mr. Menendez, for your extraordinary leadership in bringing this substitute bill to the floor.

“Mr. Chairman, any discussion of the events of the horrific events of September 11, 2001 must acknowledge that we are on hallowed ground. We have a special duty to those who lost so much on that day to do whatever is necessary to prevent similar losses in the future. There is no room for partisan politics.

“The Commission understood that responsibility when it undertook the mission of reviewing the failures associated with 9/11 and suggesting ways to correct them. Under the leadership of Chairman Kean and Vice Chairman Hamilton, the Commission acted in a bipartisan and thoughtful way to accomplish its assignment.

“By persistence, dedication, and an unshakable belief in the importance of its task, the Commission overcame every obstacle, and on, July 22, provided us with a unanimous, bipartisan, blueprint for action. Our entire nation is in their debt.

“The 9/11 families and the Commission then looked to Congress to enact their recommendations into law. The 9/11 families had reason to be proud that their advocacy was effective when, last night, the Senate adopted by a 96 to 2 vote a bipartisan bill that meets the challenge for reform laid down by the Commission.

“We have an opportunity to do the same thing by adopting the substitute advanced by my gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Menendez, whose district, like so many others across our country, bore such pain and sorrow on September 11.

“The Menendez substitute is a merger of the legislation introduced on September 7 by Senators McCain and Lieberman, and the bill authored by Senators Collins and Lieberman that was reported by the Senate Government Affairs Committee. These bills were endorsed by the 9/11 Commission and by the 9/11 families groups as being faithful to the Commission’s recommendations, and they were bipartisan from day one.

“The Republican leadership bill, H.R. 10, on the other hand, implements fully only 25 percent of the Commission recommendations, as opposed to the Menendez substitute, which reflects all the Commission recommendations.

“Having waited for more than three years to take action, why would the House want to adopt a bill which falls so far short of the reforms identified as urgently necessary, and adopted unanimously, by the bipartisan commission?

“Our country has tremendous unmet needs in the area of homeland security: securing nuclear materials overseas before they fall into the hands of terrorists and do us harm; improving security on our aircraft, at our ports, and on our rail lines; ensuring that our first responders can communicate effectively in real time; and protecting our critical infrastructure.

“All of these have not been given the priority they deserve in the Republican bill, H.R. 10. We are not as safe as we should be.

“Our first responsibility as elected officials is to protect the American people. Making the right choices on legislation to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations is one of the ways that we can meet that responsibility. The right choice today is the Menendez substitute that will bring us closest to the bill adopted 96 to 2 in the Senate, facilitate a rapid conference, and enable legislation to be signed by the President quickly.

“Mr. Chairman, on September 11, 2001, the United States was the victim of some of the most horrific attacks in our history. Today, 1,121 days later, this House is finally being given the opportunity to consider a comprehensive legislative response to those attacks.

“When the 9/11 Commission issued its report on July 22, it did so with a sense of urgency. Having delayed so long in taking action, it is critical that we get it right, and that we get it right now.

“A vote for the Menendez substitute will honor the work of the 9/11 Commission, will respect the wishes of the families, and will make the American people safer. I urge my colleagues to support this substitute.”

“ 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