Etheridge Participates in Hearing on 9/11 Commission Report

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) returned to Washington today to participate in a hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee on Homeland Security to consider the recommendations put forth in the 9/11 Commission report. Etheridge and the committee received testimony from Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton, chairman and vice-chairman of the 9/11 commission, as well as representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State and the FBI. Etheridge urged Congress and the Administration to enact the reforms put forth by the 9/11 Commission quickly to keep all of America safe.

"Congress needs to get its act together, starting with the leadership," Etheridge said. "It is time for all of us to devote our attention to the work of keeping America safe rather than bowing to Congressional power barons. The first step in this needed reform should be to make this committee permanent. Next, the Leadership should empower this committee to pass real reform legislation, not some window-dressing legislation designed first and foremost not to step on someone's toes. Our job, as members of Congress, is to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States of America. That means we are here to make the difficult choices to ensure the safety of our people and the protections of the liberty we hold so dear."

In his opening statement, Etheridge, the only North Carolina member of the committee, implored Congress to re-organize and reform itself to be able to provide meaningful oversight of intelligence and homeland security. The committee, which has not yet been made permanent, has been hampered by turf battles. Etheridge called on members on both sides of the aisle to work together to keep Americans safe.