Date: 2011-12-02
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the chairman very much. I think its important to reinforce to our colleagues that many of us are on the floor of the House this morning as these bills have come through the Judiciary Committee. and I am just struck by the fact that Im trying to reflect on the vast reach that these bills have taken up. We even have another bill just like this next week. And Im. for the life of me. trying to reflect on where the data is that these bills are going to create jobs or that there is a problem. And that is what the task of the Members of the United States Congress is. This body and the other body. we are to come as part of the peoples House and solve problems. For example. I am going to be calling for hearings on the heinous actions of sexual abuse against our children in institutions such as Penn State and Syracuse and places around this country that are probably yet uncovered and yet undiscovered. That is a problem. our children being abused. sexually abused. and the vileness of the coverup. Were sent here to solve problems. And frankly. I am concerned that H.R. 3010 does not solve a problem. Id rather be addressing the vileness of sexual abuse as an epidemic across this Nation. But today we are here with a regulatory bill and no evidence that anybody has been disturbed by the regulations that have been put in place to save the lives of the American people. So my amendment is a simple one again. Having been on Homeland Security since its originsmeaning the committeeand before the Department was even created as a member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security. having gone to Ground Zero. and as I reflect seeing the smoke still billowing from the ashes and looking at the rescue and recovery teamsthey had not yet stopped seeking to recover those who tragically were in the midst of this hellish quagmire of terrorism. How can you not see the reason in waiving this bill or exempting all rules promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security? It is the newest department. It has the greatest scrutiny in place for the kinds of regulations that are involved. Since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2002. we have overhauled the government in ways never done before. Steps have been taken to ensure that the communication failures that led to 9/11 do not happen again. The Department of Homeland Security has helped push the United States forward in being innovative in protecting our Nation. Dont stifle that. Dont block us from stopping Times Square bombers and shoe bombers and Christmas day bombers that would impact the American people. Dont stop us from helping the Coast Guard do its duty. dealing with the travails of the waterways of America. the many huge ports that would open their doors to heinous acts with cargo. Thats what theyre telling us to do by making sure homeland security. securing the Nation has to be subjected to these amendments. I know about the vulnerabilities in security firsthand. We see these all the time. There are 350 major ports. They need to do their work. They dont need to be stifled by a legislative scheme that puts in place 60 new provisions to get a regulation out. How insane. Help us secure America. Im asking my colleagues to support my amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.