King Outlines Homeland Security Committee Priorities
November 8, 2010
Announces his intention to return as Chairman of the Committee
Washington, D.C. (Monday, November 8, 2010) – Today, ¬U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement announcing his intention to return as Chairman of the Committee and outlining his priorities for the Committee in the 112th Congress:
“I will be honored to serve again as Chairman and work with Speaker John Boehner and the new Republican Majority to protect our homeland from the terrorists who continue to plot and execute attacks against our nation.
“As we approach the 10th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda continues its quest to kill Americans here at home. Recently, we have seen al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda-linked terrorists attempt to blow up cargo planes; set off a car bomb in Times Square; attempt to blow up Northwest Flight 253 on Christmas Day; kill soldiers at Fort Hood; and plot to blow up subways in New York City and Washington, DC and federal buildings in Dallas and Springfield, Ill.
“The terror threat has evolved and in many ways is more challenging now than at any time since 9/11. We are seeing an increasing number of attacks and plots resulting from radicalization of individuals already residing in the U.S.
“Some of my main priorities for the 112th Congress include:
• Conducting effective oversight of Department of Homeland Security operations and ways to give the intelligence community and law enforcement agencies the tools they need to identify and combat domestic radicalization;
• Stopping the Obama Administration’s plans to transfer Guantanamo detainees, like admitted 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his co-conspirators, to the U.S. and put them on trial in civilian courts, and holding hearings on the President’s plans to close Guantanamo, something the current Democratic majority has failed to look into;
• Holding hearings on the attack at Fort Hood, which the Democratic majority has refused to do;
• Working with the Department of Homeland Security to improve cargo security on passenger planes and on cargo-only planes;
• Enacting additional border security legislation to curb illegal immigration;
• Strengthening the Securing the Cities Initiative to protect more Americans from radiological and nuclear devices;
• Bolstering national cybersecurity by fortifying the defenses of federal networks and promoting partnerships with the private sector to protect against cyberattack;
• Passing a comprehensive Department of Homeland Security authorization bill to provide DHS with necessary guidance, tools, and resources to help protect our homeland from terrorist attack.
“On 9/11, al-Qaeda killed more than 150 of my friends and constituents. Their memories are what drive me in my work to ensure that our federal government protects all Americans from terrorism. The terror threat to our homeland has not waned; our diligence in fighting the terrorists must not wane.”