McKinney - House Legislation

Homeland Security

In the midst of a global war on terrorism it is essential for our nation not to overstep boundaries outlined in the Constitution, so I have introduced H. Con Res 274 - Reaffirming the continued importance and applicability of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. I am deeply concerned about the increasing militarization of our nation's police forces, especially as we saw in the wake of Hurricane Katrina when martial law was declared in New Orleans and it became "open season" on young black men. We must preserve civilian courts and civilian control over law enforcement if we are to sustain any pretense to having a democracy.

Another bill that I co-sponsored would limit excesses and human rights violations by our government in its pursuit of terrorists is H. Con Res 158 which calls for the adoption of a Sensible, Multilateral American Response to Terrorism (SMART) security platform for the 21st century that: (1) prevents future acts of terrorism by strengthening international institutions and respect for the rule of law; (2) reduces the threat and stops the spread of weapons of mass destruction and reduces the proliferation of conventional weapons; (3) addresses root causes of terrorism and violent conflict; (4) shifts U.S. budget priorities to more effectively meet U.S. security needs; and (5) pursues to the fullest extent alternatives to war.

I voted against the Homeland Security and Combatting Terrorism Act of 2002, which established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). All too often Congress has moved in great haste to fix a problem by creating a new cabinet-level "Czar" as if appointing a "strong man" were the solution to every problem. I did not believe then that simply amalgamating all our nation's security organizations under one director would improve our security. And if the government's Hurricane Katrina is any indication, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security would appear to have made us less not more safe. The pathetically slow reaction of DHS to Hurricane Katrina led to loss of life. As a result, I have publicly called for Secretary Chertoff to resign. And in the recommendations I made in my 70-page Supplemental Report to the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina I called for the National Response Plan to be scrapped or completely overhauled, with new language to address the particular needs and concerns of minority communities.

Immediately following the events of September 11th, Congress voted on a number of measures permitting the President to pursue the perpetrators of the attacks, to provide funds for the recovery of New York, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon, and to increase our nation's preparedness to address the threats of terrorism. On September 14, 2001, I voted in favor of H.J. Res. 64, which authorized the President to use force against those who provided aid to, or those who were responsible for the September 11th attacks.

I also supported subsequent bills to improve our homeland security, including: the Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 (HR 3004), the Bioterrorism Prevention Act of 2001 (HR 3160), the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2001 (H.R. 2888) and the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (H.R. 3448). Further, I wrote letters both to the President and the House Appropriations Committee in support of increased funding for local police, fire and EMS first responder units to prepare for, and respond to terrorist acts.