Lowey Praises Passage of Final Bill to Implement 9/11 Commission Recommendations
July 27, 2007
Press Release
Bill Improves Aviation and Port Security, Solves Major Interoperability Problems that have Plagued First Responders, and Provides More Risk-Based Funds to High-Threat Areas like New York
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, today voted for the Improving America’s Security Act, which implements many of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations and provides critical Homeland Security funding to New York.
“This bill is long overdue,” Lowey said. “The Democratic leadership in the Congress is moving America in the right direction with this bill by implementing many of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations that should have been in place for years.”
Among its provisions, the bill mandates 100% scanning of all maritime cargo before it enters the U.S., improves aviation security, and overhauls intelligence collection and information sharing to improve communication between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and first responders.
The bill also includes provisions Lowey has championed, including a grant program for communications interoperability for first responders. The program will significantly enhance the ability of public safety agencies to plan, build, and maintain communications networks by providing funds to help shoulder the tremendous financial burden of a national interoperable network
The legislation also increases the percentage of DHS grants that are allocated on the basis of risk, which will benefit high-risk areas like New York. Currently, the Department awards 40 percent of formula grants to state governments without any consideration of risk. The conference report lowers this amount to 18.5 percent.
“In its July 2004 report, the 9/11 Commission concluded that we are safer than we were prior to September 11, 2001, but we are not safe. The same is true today. While we will never be able to eliminate all threats or vulnerabilities, the implementation of these provisions is a huge step in the right direction,” Lowey concluded.
Following House passage, the bill will be sent to President Bush for his signature.
“This bill is long overdue,” Lowey said. “The Democratic leadership in the Congress is moving America in the right direction with this bill by implementing many of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations that should have been in place for years.”
Among its provisions, the bill mandates 100% scanning of all maritime cargo before it enters the U.S., improves aviation security, and overhauls intelligence collection and information sharing to improve communication between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and first responders.
The bill also includes provisions Lowey has championed, including a grant program for communications interoperability for first responders. The program will significantly enhance the ability of public safety agencies to plan, build, and maintain communications networks by providing funds to help shoulder the tremendous financial burden of a national interoperable network
The legislation also increases the percentage of DHS grants that are allocated on the basis of risk, which will benefit high-risk areas like New York. Currently, the Department awards 40 percent of formula grants to state governments without any consideration of risk. The conference report lowers this amount to 18.5 percent.
“In its July 2004 report, the 9/11 Commission concluded that we are safer than we were prior to September 11, 2001, but we are not safe. The same is true today. While we will never be able to eliminate all threats or vulnerabilities, the implementation of these provisions is a huge step in the right direction,” Lowey concluded.
Following House passage, the bill will be sent to President Bush for his signature.
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