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The Missing Piece
Posted by Randy | September 25, 2009

The Heritage Foundation listed interagency reform as a missing piece in the puzzle of sufficiently protecting our homeland. Here's an excerpt from their report:

 

Homeland security is a new core competence of government. The professionals that lead the effort must have three essential skills:

 

§ Familiarity with a number of diverse security-related disciplines (such as health care, law enforcement, immigration, and trade) and practice in interagency operations, working with different government agencies, the private sector, and international partners;

 

§ Competence in crisis action and long-term strategic planning; and

 

§ A sound understanding of federalism, the free-market economy, constitutional rights, and international relations.

 

Simply, to achieve a true competence in government and to adequately protect our homeland, we must have strategic cooperation and communication between government agencies.

 

I've introduced H.R. 2207, the Interagency Cooperation Commission (ICC) Act, which would bring together officials from the Administration, Congress, and outside experts to recommend legislative and regulatory changes to improve the coordination of federal activities for major undertakings such as post-Katrina recovery, the government pandemic flu response, and coordinating government policy toward China and other countries.
Comments
The opinions expressed below are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent those of this office.
  • Glenda Reagan commented on 9/25/2009
    I agree with your proposal. We definately need to strengthen our ability to protect this country and its citizens. To do this communication between agencies is a must. One of the serious ramification that was brought with the tragedy of 9/11, was our agencies were not talking to one another about different intelligence concerns. Also, the turf wars between agencies needs to stop. They need to keep their on the goal, that is the protection of our country and its citizens. It sounds like your proposal is a big step in that direction.
  • Peggy Townsend commented on 9/25/2009
    While I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that the right hand doesn't consult with the left in interagency policy or procedure as they should, the very necessity of such a bill as HR 2207 should bring pause to the public to consider how the federal government has been operating without such cooperation and coordination! Maybe our tax dollars can be utilized more efficiently if this bill becomes law. Thank you for your vigilance, Congressman Forbes.
  • George Walton commented on 9/25/2009
    I try to stay reasonably well informed about our government -- after all, I'm paying for it. From national news, it seems that the majority party have a set of plans that must be followed. They may be good for the nation, they may be a set of personal beliefs, or they may be foreign to most of American policies and traditions, but the plans must be followed. I am glad that Congressman Forbes is resisting these plans. Keep up the lonely fight and keep representing traditional American traditions.
  • Margaret Rapley commented on 9/25/2009
    Thank you for being diligent for the defense of America. the guard is being let down so much to defend this country; it's hard to comprehend why. We appreciate you and what your doing. Have written all our reps. on HR2207. Hope it passes. The Rapley's
  • Carlton Lowry commented on 9/26/2009
    Bravo, Randy! I think this is more of what we need if we are to take back our government as respectful, taxpaying citizens. Don't stop, keep up the questions as to what the plans is, where is the money going, and who is it going to? Thanks, Carlton lowry
  • Richard Linn commented on 9/26/2009
    Randy, Review the following sites to see what should be our ship building plan: http://www.conservativeusa.org/redchina-missile.htm http://www.jeffhead.com/redseadragon/planbuildup.htm updated: http://www.jeffhead.com/redseadragon/2009.htm Keep to your conservative believes, Dick
  • John Rosser commented on 9/27/2009
    Congressman Forbes, This is a great idea! What about the vetting process for the head of Homeland Security. If this report is true, shouldn't there also be a fixed specific list of personal experience requirements that must be met before before someone can become a candidate to head Homeland Security?
  • Herbert Taylor commented on 9/27/2009
    Dear Congressman Forbes, I am Herbert Taylor from Ivor, Virginia and am a retired Navy Captain who spent 29 years in the Navy. I read your emials daily and appreciate your efforts to support all of the requirement of our Military. I have just watched your video speaking on the floor of the House in regard to the Secretary of Defense's refusal to submit a shipbuilding plan in definace of the Law. I applaud your efforts and hope your are successful. I have watche over the years as each Democratic Administration slowly dismantled our Military infastructure, and leave it to the Nesx Republican Administration to clean up their mess. At the present rate of shlpbuilding, the rapidly increasing age of our existing ships will not allow us to maintain even an understrength force of 300 ships. When I joined the Navy in 1959 we had 16 Aircraft Carriers and today we have only 8 (I admit their capability is greater than in 1959) while our World wide commitment had actually increased. Keep up the good work. You have many, many Republican supporters. Herbert Taylor
  • bud hornik commented on 9/29/2009
    Randy, Thanks for the good job you are doing in DC. I question the "outside experts" that seem to be advising the white house at this time. Cass Sunstein ??? I hope you have staff examining the qualifications of the "experts" . As a Viet Nam vet, I support efforts that benefit our troops and our vets.
  • EMANUEL RUVIO commented on 10/3/2009
    WE SPEAK ABOUT HOW WE NEED TO TAKE BIG GOVERNMENT BACK, BUT WHEN DO WE START SPEAKING ON HOW WE NEED TO STOP SUPPORTING THE REST OF THE WORLD. WHEN THERE IS TROUBLE IN THE WORLD WHO IS THERE FIRST TO HELP WITH AID AND MONEY AND PEOPLE? WHEN WE HAD HURRICAN THAT DESTROYED ONE OF OUT CITIES WHO CAME ? NO ONE THATS WHO WERE WAS THE AID WERE WAS THE MONEY AND THE POEPLE , US THATS WHO. IT IS ABOUT TIME THIS GREAT COUNTRY (PAST) STOP GIVING TO THE REST OF THE WORLD, WE CANT AFFORD TO DO ANYMORE. WE CANT FEED OUR OWN PEOPLE, WE CANT CARE FOR OUR OWN SICK AND WE CANT EVEN EMPLOYEE OUR OWN PEOPLE ANY MORE. STOP SHEDDING THE TEARS FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD THEY ARE ANY FOR US, THE ONLY THING IS SMILES ON COUNTRY'S THAT HAVE BEEN LOOKING TO DO THIS COUNTRY IN FOR MANY YEARS NOW, AND NOW THEY HAVE US WHERE THEY WANT US. BUILD THIS COUTRY TO ITS FORMER STATE, MAKE JOBS AND CUT TAXES AND HELP THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED THE WORLD AND GOT NOTHING FOR IT.
  • John Hines commented on 10/7/2009
    Hello Congressman, I am the audio engineer for CBN's Newswatch program that you were just on. It was I that asked if you could hear me. I live in Suffolk and am honored sir to have you as the Representative for our district. I prayer for you and support all your efforts to regain control of our country. I am on your e-mail list and look forward to them. Thanks again for all you do. Keep up the great work. America's counting on you. Whether they know it or not. God bless you, John L. Hines
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