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Congressman Ed Whitfield
On the Issues
Homeland SecurityFrom local law enforcement to increased security at our borders and ports, protecting our homeland remains one of my top priorities. With the threat of terrorist acts against our nation ever present, we must continue to focus on this issue.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002. DHS is responsible for all homeland security related activities among executive departments and agencies and promoting the effective development and implementation of all homeland security policies. An example of the work that DHS is doing is with its Grants to States Program. Since its inception, DHS has awarded millions of dollars through Fire Act Grants to Fire Departments in the First Congressional District of Kentucky, with the money  used for equipment, fire trucks, and various other items of need.

Immigration
Since 2001, border security funding has more than doubled. Border agents have apprehended and sent home more than 4.5 million people coming into the country illegally, including about 350,000 with criminal records. The border must be open to trade and tourism and closed to criminals, drug dealers, and terrorists.

Like most Kentuckians, I am opposed to granting amnesty to persons who have entered our nation illegally. Amnesty not only forces the costs of illegal immigration on the American people, but also punishes those who play by the rules and achieve U.S. residency legally. Furthermore, the threat of terrorists coming into our country has made it essential that we fully protect our borders.

While much is being done to combat illegal immigration, much more needs to be done. As a member of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, I am working with my Caucus colleagues to enact meaningful immigration reform legislation. I have cosponsored legislation, such as the Secure America with Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act to make important and common sense improvements to border security.  I look forward to working with my Caucus colleagues to enact this immigration reform legislation into law.  

Port Security
Following September 11th, the federal government has implemented a multi-faceted defense plan to secure our ports. This plan includes funding over $630 million in grants to the largest ports for new technology, cargo screening and inspection, the creation of a business partnership of nearly 5,800 international firms working to improve baseline security standards, and much more. During the last Congress, I supported several efforts to increase security at our ports including the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act, which was enacted into law last year. This legislation increases port security at United States’ ports, improves tracking and protection of containers enroute to the United States, and reduces the risk of possible terrorist threats from reaching our country.

The First District of Kentucky plays a vital role in the nation’s water transportation, as four major navigable rivers- the Mississippi, the Ohio, the Tennessee and the Cumberland - flow through or by western Kentucky. Paducah is especially important because the Ohio River and Mississippi River intercept here, creating a major hub for inland waterways activities. With 23 facilities and eight vessels operating companies in or near Paducah, these businesses account for approximately 8,500 employees. In addition, there are nearly 85 companies located throughout the Midwest, Ohio Valley and Southern regions whose vessels transit the Paducah area and whose employees live in Western Kentucky. 

For these reasons, I was pleased to request that the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) establish a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) center in Paducah. Although there have been some concerns with the costs of the TWIC program, I believe that it is an important security measure which helps ensure that individuals who pose a threat do not gain access to secure areas of the nation's maritime transportation system. TWIC cards are biometric credentials issued to all merchant mariners and workers who need access to secure areas of ports and vessels. Establishing a TWIC center in Paducah ensures that TWIC cards are issued in a timely and effective manner without placing undue burden on businesses that rely on these waterways. I look forward to working with individuals in the industry to address the various financial hurdles that are faced in protecting our ports. 

Law Enforcement
I support tough crime laws and providing incentives to states to increase enforcement of existing laws. To help battle crime, we have coordinated with federal law enforcement officials to have two Drug Enforcement Administration agents permanently stationed in the First District. I worked diligently to secure $4.9 million to support local law enforcement efforts to combat the production, distribution, and use of methamphetamine in our area. I have also supported funding for the Department of Justice to continue the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Grants Program. This program has provided the state and local governments with millions of dollars to help create safer communities.

Links:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
White House – Office of Homeland Security
Kentucky Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency