Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington), the only N.C. member of the Homeland Security Committee, today voted to pass legislation to improve homeland security and make North Carolina safer.
The bill would implement most of the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.
“Keeping all Americans safe should the top priority of the government. Congress cannot wait for another attack to take steps to protect our nation from terrorism,” said Etheridge. “I have worked on the Homeland Security Committee to implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting these critical reforms.”
The bill includes a number of steps to improve homeland security, including:
* Providing interoperable communication devices for emergency response officials;
* Requiring major improvements in aviation security, border security, and infrastructure security;
* Requiring 100-percent inspection of cargo at ports and on passenger aircraft;
* Providing first responders the equipment and training they need;
* Increasing efforts to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction;
* Significantly expanding diplomatic, economic and educational strategies designed to counter Islamic terrorism.
Etheridge worked on the Homeland Security Committee in the 109th session of Congress to implement many of the reforms included in today’s legislation. In particular, Etheridge joined his colleagues on the committee in supporting legislation to screen 100 percent of all containers entering U.S. ports, and to provide first responders with interoperable communications equipment.
The bipartisan 9/11 Commission was created by Congress to provide recommendations on preventing another terrorist attack. The recommendations were released in 2004. Congress implemented several of the recommendations in December 2004, however the Republican -controlled Congress did not implement many, and only partially implemented others.
The legislation must now be passed by the Senate and signed by the President to become law.