(D-Maine)
The tragic events of September 11th, 2001 deeply affected us all. On the sixth anniversary of that day, it is important to remember those we lost, honor the sacrifice and bravery of our first responders and Armed Forces, and reaffirm our commitment to defending the United States against all future threats. One of the most important ways that we can serve the memory of those who were lost is to take action: to make positive changes to our nation’s strength and security that will help us prevent another serious attack.
In July of 2004, the bipartisan 9/11 Commission submitted its recommendations to Congress on how to better protect America from terrorism. Unfortunately, for the next two and half years, the previous Congress failed to enact most of these recommendations into law.
This year, however, a new Congress brought a welcome and long overdue change: it passed a bill that finally implemented the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Although this bill came three full years after the 9/11 Commission published its recommendations, it finally enacts many of the needed reforms that can help make us all safer.
As a sponsor of the bill, I was pleased that it received wide bipartisan support and that the President signed it into law on August 3rd. It was a moment where legislators from both parties could come together and make a positive change to help protect our country.
The new law represents a comprehensive effort to increase security nationwide, particularly surrounding mass transportation and information sharing. It will require that over the next five years, we achieve 100% scanning of U.S.-bound seaborne containers at their port of origin — not when they arrive at our shores and the horse has left the barn door. This will help to close one of the biggest gaps in our nation’s security.
The law will also mandate 100 percent screening of cargo on passenger aircraft within three years. This change directly addresses a major potential route of weapons of mass destruction.
Another major aspect of the legislation is the improvement of communications capabilities for first responders through a new communications program at the Department of Homeland Security. One of the most widely-reported problems on September 11, 2001 was the inability of police and firefighters to talk to each other on their radios. This is a shocking flaw that may have caused the deaths of many first responders, and unfortunately, it is all too common throughout the nation. This program would help police officers and firefighters to build communications systems that can talk to each other, so they can share information and work closely together in emergencies, building on our existing strengths and helping to keep our first responders safer.
The new law also takes major steps toward preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction in the first place by strengthening programs that combat proliferation. The new law includes initiatives to limit terrorist travel through increased funding of the Human Trafficking and Smuggling Center and greater Visa Waiver Program safeguards to ensure that terrorists cannot enter the U.S.
The 9/11 Commission also emphasized the positive steps that we can take to restrain the appeal of extremism throughout the world through outreach programs and education. This law will help reach this goal by taking steps to curb the appeal of anti-Americanism and terrorism, and by reaching out to those who want improvement in their lives. We want to return to showing an America that stands as a symbol of hope and freedom.
On the sixth anniversary of one of the darkest days in American history, we pay tribute to the memory of those we lost and we stand united as a nation in prayer for their families, friends, and for our country. The best tribute we can make in the years ahead is to live in freedom and safety: and this new law will help us keep going on that path.
