(Washington D.C.)- U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) today rose in strong support of implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations. Below is his full floor statement:

I rise in strong support of H.R. 1, which provides for the implementation of remaining recommendations by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.

Implementation of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations is long overdue.  In 2004, the 9/11 Commission submitted 41 recommendations to the Bush Administration and Congress to fill critical gaps in our nation's homeland security.  More than two years later, many of these recommendations have only been partially implemented and others not at all.  Troubling gaps in our homeland security still exist.  As the Co-Chairmen of the Commission stated last August, "we are not as safe as we should be."

As just one example, the 9/11 Commission found that the inability of first responders to communicate with each other and their commanders resulted in a loss of life after the planes hit the World Trade Center towers five years ago.  In an emergency situation, first responders in a unit -- and across departments -- must be able to talk to each other.  In response, one of the Commission's recommendations stated that establishing and funding interoperable communications for first responders had to be given a high priority.  This hasn't happened; indeed, after Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans last year, the communications network in that city simply collapsed.

Securing funding for interoperable radios is the number one homeland security priority for my district, but the high cost of establishing the required infrastructure and acquiring the necessary equipment has greatly slowed this vital effort. For smaller communities, the tens of thousands of dollars needed to upgrade their systems is simply too great. The stand-alone interoperability grant program included in this legislation is a great step forward, and I look forward to working to secure appropriations for this critical effort in the future.

The Commission also criticized the current funding system for federal first responder funding - which guarantees states a large portion of baseline funding with some additional funding distributed on the basis of population - arguing that homeland security assistance should be based "strictly on an assessment of risks and vulnerabilities."

One result of the current funding formula is that states at low risk of terrorist attack receive far more money per capita than states at much higher risk from terrorism.  For example, under the current formula, Wyoming received $18.06 per capita in Department of Homeland Security grants in 2006 while Michigan, whose border crossings are the busiest on the northern border and conduct about $450 million in trade every day, received $5.13 per capita.

The legislation before the House significantly increases that share of state homeland security grants provided on the basis of risk.   Under the bill, most states would be guaranteed a minimum of 0.25 percent of Homeland Security grant money, down from 0.75 percent.  Eighteen states that have international borders, including Michigan, would get a higher guaranteed amount of 0.45 percent of the total.  The rest of the money would be distributed based on the Homeland Security Department's assessment of risk and need.  I agree with this approach.  We must focus our resources on high-threat areas where the risk from terrorist attack are greatest.

The most basic job of government is to be ready to respond in the event of a disaster, whether natural or man-made.  We can't afford another response like the one following Hurricane Katrina.  I urge all my colleagues to join me in voting for this important legislation.
 

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