Homeland Security
I am currently serving as the only Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security from New York City and I also serve as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cyber-security, Science and Technology. Therefore, I am uniquely positioned and keenly aware of the numerous threats facing our nation. Having witnessed the horror of 9/11 first-hand and being regularly briefed on the various ways hackers attempt to undermine the computer systems in almost every sector of our economy and government, I am determined keep our nation safe and ensure, through a comprehensive and reasoned homeland security policy, that New York and the nation never witness a tragedy like that ever again.
One of my first acts upon arriving in Congress was to support the passage of a bill to finally implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. During my tenure in the House I have worked to secure New York City’s bridges, tunnels, buses and trains by pushing for funding for the Securing the Cities Initiative, worked with the Department of Health and Human Services to identify and fight new flu strains, and have worked to develop public-private partnerships and create a comprehensive strategy for protecting our nation from cyber-terrorism. I am also a strong advocate for ensuring that municipal and state emergency responders receive the resources they need for state-of-the-art and reliable communications and safety equipment that is vital in responding to a domestic attack or natural disaster.
As Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cyber-security, Science and Technology, I have worked to identify and respond to the threats our nation face in the 21st century. Recently, we have heard recent reports of harmful code found, lying dormant in the electric grid. There is also a recent denial-of-service (DoS) attack that crippled government websites in South Korea and the United States. As our nation increasingly transitions to a digital and online way of life, it is imperative that our nation’s digital infrastructure, and our citizen’s personal information, is safe from cyber-terrorism, fraud and other criminal activity. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress, the Administration, and the private sector to develop a comprehensive strategy for to keeping our cyber-infrastructure secure.
At the beginning of every Congress, I take an oath to “defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” I take this responsibility of keeping America safe very seriously and will continue to work toward an intelligent and comprehensive homeland security policy that combines effective counter-terrorism and keeps our borders secure.
DHS S&T Constituent Guide to Doing Business
