Loretta Sanchez: Impact of Bin Laden’s Death on Homeland Security (The Hill)

When Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. Navy Seals, our nation achieved a critical victory in our fight against al-Qaeda and other terrorists who seek to harm our country.  It took nearly ten years to capture America’s most wanted terrorist, and the brave and relentless actions of our military and intelligence professionals were nothing short of heroic.

Unfortunately, the death of Osama bin Laden does not mean the end of al Qaeda or terrorist threats to the United States.  Bin Laden’s death may have brought a form of closure Americans needed after that horrendous Tuesday morning in 2001, but it did not eliminate the terrorist threat at home and abroad. In fact, intelligence officials warn that the killing of the al Qaeda leader may lead to a surge in terrorist threats to U.S. interests.
Americans can expect to see heightened levels of security over the next several months as the United States prepares to combat this increased risk of retaliatory attacks by supporters and sympathizers of bin Laden.  Many states, such as my home state of California, have increased local counter-terrorism measures to respond to these all too familiar threats.  Local law enforcement has increased security wherever possible, reminding Californians to be on the look-out for suspicious activity in places such as airports, harbors and transit systems.

U.S. intelligence is analyzing materials found during the raid in bin Laden’s compound, such as computers, storage media and documents, and this intelligence will be used to prevent future terrorist attacks.  Among the items found in the compound was a notebook showing that the terrorist group had considered a possible attack on the American mass transit system on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Such information has already proven critical to infiltrating the web of this intricate terrorist organization.

We must also redouble our efforts to combat the lesser-known threat of homegrown terrorism.  Terrorist sleeper cells or lone wolf extremists have the potential to go unnoticed if not detected early and can create as much havoc on our nation as any international threat. To combat such threats, we must ensure those on the domestic front lines such as first-responders and local police are equipped and ready to meet the special demands of preventing and responding to terrorist threats.  Local law enforcement are the “eyes and ears” of our community and they must be equipped, trained and ready at all times to respond.

Unfortunately, the current Congress has hindered this effort by voting for severe cuts to key homeland security grants. First, in February 2011, the House passed H.R. 1, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011, which called for cutting homeland security grant funding for FY 2011 by approximately $900 million.  

Then, in March, Congress passed the Further Continuing Appropriations Amendments of 2011, which cut first-responder grant funding for FY 2011 by $125 million.  Congress also passed the last continuing resolution for FY 2011, the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011, which will result in a twenty percent or greater reduction in preparedness and response grants.  

We face difficult economic choices as a nation, but we must never allow our first responders and local law enforcement to be used as bargaining chips in the current budget battle.  Homeland security must always remain a top priority and it is important that we do not cut programs crucial to the security of our communities.

As we move forward, I urge the President to fulfill his pledge to wind down military operations in Afghanistan and concentrate U.S. security strategy and resources on threats to our homeland.    Bin Laden was not found in the mountains of Afghanistan.  He was found in a quiet and affluent city suburb in Pakistan.  Yet we spend over $2 billion dollars a week on the war in Afghanistan while we drastically cut crucial first responder programs. The new Congress has even vowed to increase the Department of Defense budget. In my view, the first step to preventing another tragedy like September 11th is to ensure that individuals responsible for keeping our communities safe are equipped and ready.