Wednesday, January 10, 2007
MEDIA CONTACT: STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029
Clay Says H.R. 1 Will Help Close Homeland Security Gap
"Full Implementation of 9-11 Commission Recommendations First Action of New Congress"
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay applauded the passage of H.R. 1, the first act adopted by the U.S. House in 2007. The legislation, which Congressman Clay cosponsored, passed late yesterday. It would significantly strengthen U.S aviation and port security while launching new initiatives to disrupt the global proliferation of nuclear weapons technology.
"The full implementation of the 9-11 Commission recommendations is long overdue. We promised the American people that making our country more secure would be the first priority of the new Democratic majority and H.R. 1 gets us closer to that objective," said Mr. Clay. "It is absolutely outrageous that five years after the 9-11 attacks, air cargo is still not screened for explosives and seaborne cargo is not screened for nuclear materials. I fully support the bill's provisions that would require all cargo containers bound for U.S. ports to be scanned for nuclear materials and technology at their port of origin."
The bill also includes new provisions that would allocate Homeland Security Department grants based on risk assessment instead of the current population-based formula. It would also provide more help to create a unified emergency responder communications network; a critical need pointed out by the 9-11 Commission. H.R. 1 also establishes an International Arab and Muslim Youth Opportunity Fund to provide positive assistance for Arab and Muslim youth around the world.