FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2003

SCHUMER TO HEAD UP NEW HOMELAND SECURITY TASK FORCE FOR SENATE DEMOCRATS

New watchdog group will issue reports on the performance of new Homeland Security Dept, FBI and other counter-terrorism agencies, focus on identifying new security deficiencies and coming up with solutions to address them

With odds of future attacks likely to increase if US goes to war with Iraq, Schumer to use new post to ensure that Feds back up rhetoric with action to close gaping security holes

US Senator Charles Schumer announced today that he has been tapped by Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle to head up a new Homeland Security Task Force that will monitor the performance of the Homeland Security Department, the FBI and other counter-terrorism agencies, as well as the overall US effort to boost domestic security. With the odds of future attacks against the US likely to increase in the event of a war with Iraq, the new watchdog group will work to ensure that the nation's domestic security vulnerabilities are addressed quickly and comprehensively.

Schumer said the group will produce regular progress reports on how well the FBI and the Homeland Security Department are performing as well as identify new domestic security deficiencies and solutions to address them. In addition, the group will monitor whether the White House's rhetoric is in sync with its actions on homeland security. For example, the White House has often spoken about improved security along the Northern Border but has often failed to back the resources needed to make those improvements. The new post will enable Schumer, one of the Senate's leading homeland security advocates, to play a key role crafting the homeland security agenda and ensure that New York's vast security needs remain at the forefront.

"To win the war on terror, you need a one-two punch. You have to do it overseas, but you also have to do it here at home. While the Administration has been ready and willing to pay for the war abroad, its security efforts domestically have been all too slow and incomplete. This new group is to make sure the homeland security effort gets the resources it needs and doesn't get short shrift," Schumer said. "I'm honored that Tom Daschle has asked me to lead this effort for the Senate Democrats. There's a lot that needs to be done to make sure that we're as safe as we can be. I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work."

Since September 11, Schumer has been a leader in the effort to plug holes in the US domestic security network. He helped get the bipartisan anti-terrorism bill, the USA PATRIOT ACT, enacted into law and got legislation passed to improve information sharing between federal intelligence agencies and local law enforcement. The Senate also adopted his bill to develop nuclear detection devices in the port security legislation it passed to impose stricter cargo reporting standards, increased penalties for unreported cargo, and more manual inspections. Last Friday, he successfully inserted a provision into the Senate's Omnibus Appropriations Bill providing $150 million to develop devices for US ports and border crossings capable of detecting nuclear, biological and chemical devices. He has also introduced legislation to track radioactive materials.

He has also worked to improve the customs facilities along New York's northern borders, calling for more federal agents and improved coordination with the Canadian border officials. In November, Schumer detailed a plan to safeguard Great Lakes communities like Rochester that may be susceptible to the smuggling of nuclear weapons or terrorists across Lake Ontario. Last month, Schumer called on the federal government to secure the more than 8 million trucks that travel in and out of New York City each year. The plan includes federal background checks for truck drivers, mandated tracking technology in trucks, and a database to monitor hazardous materials traveling along our highways.

Last week, the Republican-led Senate passed a 2.9 percent across-the-board spending cut on all non-military programs, including funds for homeland security. For example, the cut slashed $1.3 billion for first responders, including $40 million for the fire grant program. This funding would have gone toward communications equipment for firefighters, state and local emergency operations centers, and other hometown security priorities.

The plan also cut $389 million from the FBI, which could force the country's main counter-terrorism agency to eliminate 1,175 agents. Immigration and border security took a $613 million hit, including cuts to the Entry-Exit system which tracks the arrival and departure of non-US citizens and the construction of border security facilities. In addition, the bill cut $117 million from the US Customs Service, resulting in the loss of 1,200 border employees. Finally, it cut $240 million from nuclear non-proliferation programs that provide for the security of nuclear materials and weapons, and keep nuclear material out of the hands of terrorists.

In New York, these cuts could prove to be disastrous since the State has so many security needs. The Northern border staffing and facility finding cuts will almost certainly result in less thorough inspections of commercial cargo going through New York and could cause traffic congestion at the crossings to spike. With several terror cells being investigated in the State, the cuts to the FBI will result in fewer agents to probe possible Al Qaeda links and make it harder for the INS to track foreigners going in and out of the country. The $1.3 billion first responder cut will make it harder for local governments in New York to handle homeland security expenses.

Schumer said the 2.9 percent cut is the latest example of how homeland security has not gotten the attention it needs. "Thus far, the Administration has been schizophrenic in its approach to the war on terror, doing everything it takes to fight the war overseas but pinching pennies when it comes to protecting domestic security. Just as you can't fight the war in Iraq without additional resources, you can't protect our homeland without additional resources. I hope Tom Ridge is able to persuade the President of this obvious fact."

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