Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

I would like to thank Senator Lieberman for holding this hearing today.  I also want to welcome Senators Bob Graham and Jim Talent, along with Commissioners Tim Roemer and Robin Cleveland, and thank them, along with the other commissioners and staff, for their efforts in completing this report.  I share your concerns that weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation and terrorism are critical national security threats.

Your report comes at a crucial time.  Tensions between India and Pakistan remain high in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks in Mumbai.  We must not forget that both countries have nuclear weapons and both are beneficiaries of new nuclear trade agreements with major powers.  At the non-state actor level, al Qaeda has not disavowed its desire to obtain weapons of mass destruction.   History suggests that terrorists often attempt attacks shortly before or after governmental transitions, and the Department of Homeland Security is preparing for its first-ever presidential transition.  These are challenging times. 

Along with your report's focus on WMD proliferation and terrorism, you highlighted the need for improved government operations and the vital role of the citizen.  The report asserts that we must improve coordination throughout our government to counter these threats and strengthen our national security workforce.  I have long maintained that we cannot counter national security threats, including WMD proliferation and terrorism, without a workforce that has the full range of language, cultural, scientific, and technical capabilities.  In addition, we must ensure that we openly and honestly inform citizens about the threats facing them and what role they can play in our nation's homeland security.

At a critical point in our nation's history, almost 50 years ago, an agency designed to address the challenges of arms control was created.  In 1999, that agency was eliminated and its functions merged into the State Department.  At the current, critical point in history, we may need a new agency focused on nonproliferation and arms control that is designed to meet twenty-first century threats.  The hearings that I held earlier this year made it clear that the State Department is not fully capable of facing these threats.  I plan to continue focusing on this issue during the 111th Congress.

I want to thank again our witnesses for being here today.

-END-