House GOP Homeland Security Accomplishments

Funding for First Responders and Homeland Security —Through a variety of programs, over $30 billion in federal funding has been allocated for first responders since 2001. Total non-Defense Homeland Security spending across all agencies has gone from $11.8 billion in FY2001 to $41.5 billion for FY2007 (per OMB).

The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (and Reauthorization)— A key tool in preventing another domestic terror attack, the Patriot Act has enabled the Federal government to effectively deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, and enhanced law enforcement investigatory missions. 156 House Democrats voted to oppose reauthorization.

The REAL ID Act —A key 9/11 Commission recommendation, the REAL ID Act federally standardizes the requirements for applying and issuing state identification cards. According to the 9/11 Commission, the 19 hijackers responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks carried between them 13 valid drivers' licenses and 21 state-issued ID cards. 152 House Democrats voted against this bill.

Homeland Security Act of 2002— Established the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as an Executive department of the United States tasked with preventing domestic terrorist attacks, reducing the vulnerability of the Nation to terrorism, and assisting the recovery and response efforts in the event of a terrorist attack.  120 House Democrats voted against this legislation.

Border Security— The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act, passed by the House in December 2005, takes steps to ensure terrorists cannot enter the United States illegally by establishing operational control of all borders and ports through enhanced Border Patrol operations, physical barriers, and state-of-the-art technology. The bill also ends the “catch and release” practice along the southwest border and streamlines operations within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) border security agencies. 164 House Democrats voted against this measure.

SAFE Port Act— The Security and Accountability for Every Port (SAFE Port) Act addresses port security defenses within and beyond U.S. ports, including enhancing security programs, tracking and protecting containers en route to the United States, and preventing threats from reaching the U.S. The SAFE Port Act expands the 24-Hour Rule, which gives Customs and Border Protection (CBP) the authority to require that manifests of all foreign containers be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the container being loaded onto a vessel. By obtaining the information in advance, CBP can better utilize the Automated Targeting System (ATS), a program which is focused on screening 100 percent of all cargo before it arrives in the U.S. The bill enhances the existing Container Security Initiative (CSI) and Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) programs, which are aimed at improving the detection and inspection of high-risk cargo. The SAFE Port Act also authorizes $2.4 billion in federal funding to enhance security at seaports nationwide, and requires DHS to deploy nuclear and radiological detection systems at all domestic seaports.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 —Made important reforms in the Intelligence Community, including the creation of a Director of National Intelligence to oversee all intelligence-related gathering and analysis activity of the United States.

Project BioShield —Delivered $5.6 billion to enhance research, development, procurement, and use of biomedical countermeasures to respond to public health threats affecting national security.

Emergency Communications- The “21 st Century Emergency Communications Act of 2006,” passed by the House in July, helps ensure that our Nation's first responders are able to communicate during an emergency. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA), will improve both operable and interoperable communications in the event of an emergency by requiring a baseline assessment of current emergency communications capabilities, accelerating the development of national standards for emergency communications equipment, and r equiring state and local governments to establish effective Statewide Interoperable Communications Plans before being able to use DHS grant funds for emergency communications.

Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) : Congress passed the MTSA in 2002, requiring every regulated U.S. port facility to establish and implement a security plan that outlines procedures for controlling access to the facility, verifying credentials for port workers, inspecting cargo for tampering, designating security responsibilities, training, and reporting security breaches.