As a border state and home to major international ports, we have unique homeland security concerns in the state of Washington. We
must be constantly ready, at every level of government, to confront new
and evolving terrorist threats, while also meeting challenges of
fighting international crime and preparing for natural disasters.
Improving our homeland security requires strong coordination between
the federal government and its state and local partners, as well as
smart policies and real dollars. And as a senior member of the Budget
and Appropriations committees, I have fought to ensure that Washington
state – and our nation – are making the necessary progress to keep our
communities, ports and transportation systems safe.
I am one of the principal authors of the SAFE Port Act of 2006,
which took critical steps to secure our nation’s ports without
interrupting trade. I have also been a strong advocate for homeland
security grants for state and local police, firefighters, emergency
managers, and other key homeland security personnel. These invaluable
grants are the foundation of many homeland security initiatives in the
state and around the country.
My Priorities
- Funding security needs in Washington state and
across the nation.
- Ensuring the continuing safety and economic productivity
of our nation’s ports.
- Increasing funding for Homeland Security grants
distributed to first responders and emergency managers across the
country to improve homeland security capabilities in our state and
communities.
- Improving security along the northern border.
- Supporting the FBI’s expanded counter-terrorism and
intelligence roles, while maintaining its traditional
crime-fighting mission.
- Supporting the Coast Guard’s missions in the Pacific
Northwest and throughout the country.
My Accomplishments
- Principal author of the landmark 2006 SAFE Port Act.
- Secured full funding for the port security grant program.
- Helped create Coast Guard interagency operations centers
across the country to enable the federal government, local, and
state authorities to coordinate their efforts on maritime
security. As a result of these efforts, the Joint Harbor
Operation Center now operates at the Coast Guard base in Seattle.
- Played an integral role in increasing funding for first
responder grants.
- Established the first Customs Air and Marine Wing in
Bellingham, the first sustained air presence along the northern
border.
- Supported increased funding for the FBI as it increased
its counter-terrorism and intelligence roles.
- Fought for increased funding for the Coast Guard as it
assumed new homeland security responsibilities.