Yup... Dennis Hastert promised that next year Congress will 'reconsider' three provisions moderates opposed. So the 'moderates' voted for the bill. Not to worry, we know the politicians always keep their word every time hell freezes over.
"One provision permits federal business with American companies that have moved their operations abroad to sidestep U.S. taxes.Another measure legally shields drug companies already sued over ingredients used in vaccines. Democrats said this includes claims that mercury-based preservatives have caused autism in children.
Also re-examined will be a section that helps Texas A&M University win homeland security research money. The district of incoming House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is near Texas A&M."
We are in a world of hurt, people. I keep wondering if any state legislators are going to awaken from their deep sleep soon enough to exert their Constitutional authority. With God/Creator, all things are possible. -- Jackie --
November 25, 2001
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Bush Signs Homeland Security Bill
November 25, 2002
Associated Press
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/homefront.html
W A S H I N G T O N, Nov. 25 — President Bush signed legislation today creating a new Department of Homeland Security devoted to preventing domestic terror attacks. He promised it "will focus the full resources of the American government on the safety of the American people."
The president picked Tom Ridge as the department's first secretary.
Bush's signature launched the most sweeping federal reorganization since the Defense Department's birth in 1947, a process that his spokesman said could take up to two years to complete.
"Today we are taking historic action to defend the United States and protect our citizens against the dangers of a new era," Bush said. "With my signature, this act of Congress will create a new Department of Homeland Security, ensuring our efforts to protect this country are comprehensive and united."
Bush said he will nominate Navy Secretary Gordon England to be Ridge's deputy, and Asa Hutchinson, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, to be undersecretary of border and transportation security.
"With a vast nation to defend, we can neither predict nor prevent every conceivable attack in a free and open society," Bush said in an East Room event. "No department of government can completely guarantee our safety against ruthless killers who move and plot in shadows, yet our government will take every possible measure to safeguard ... our people."
Bush also reported progress in the war on terror. Democrats have questioned whether progress is being made, with Osama bin Laden apparently alive.
"Many terrorists are now being interrogated. Many terrorists have been killed. We've liberated a country," Bush said. "This act takes the next critical steps in defending our country against the continuing threat of terrorism. The threat of mass murder on our own soil will be met with a united, effective response."
The bill became snarled in partisan disputes on Capitol Hill, with Democrats refusing to grant the president the broad powers he sought to hire, fire and move workers in the new department. Bush would not yield, and made the disagreement a political issue, railing against Democrats as he campaigned for Republican candidates through the fall. Democrats reversed course after their Election Day loss of Senate control was attributed partly to the homeland security fight.
Bush invited union leaders to the signing ceremony and told them, "We look forward to working with you to make sure your people are treated fairly in this new department."
The East Room was filled with hundreds of onlookers, with the larger-than-usual crowd spilling into the nearby White House foyers, where a large TV was set up.
The new Cabinet department — an idea Bush initially opposed — will swallow 22 existing agencies with combined budgets of about $40 billion and employ 170,000 workers, the most sweeping federal reorganization since the Defense Department's birth in 1947. White House spokesman Fleischer said the department will come together piece by piece but will not be fully functional for at least a year, and perhaps two. "Just like any entity there are going to be growing pains ... and that must be anticipated in the creation of this department," he said.
Ridge spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the new department's leadership structure will be in place within three months.
Signing the homeland security bill ends an odyssey for legislation that started inching through Congress nearly a year ago against Bush's opposition, only to see him offer his own version after momentum became unstoppable.
The road to passing the homeland security bill was tortuous to the end.
Senate Republican leader Trent Lott of Mississippi phoned House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., in Turkey and won his pledge that Congress next year will reconsider three provisions that moderates opposed.
One provision permits federal business with American companies that have moved their operations abroad to sidestep U.S. taxes.
Another measure legally shields drug companies already sued over ingredients used in vaccines. Democrats said this includes claims that mercury-based preservatives have caused autism in children.
Also re-examined will be a section that helps Texas A&M University win homeland security research money. The district of incoming House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is near Texas A&M.
Earlier today, Bush signed port security legislation, which he says will protect the nation's coasts and harbors by adding port security agents, restricting access to sensitive areas and requiring ships to provide more information about the cargo, crew and passengers they carry.
— The Associated Press
Copyright © 2002 ABC News Internet Ventures.
CFR Phase III
Report on National Homeland
Security
The Phase III
Report of the U.S. Commission on National Security / 21st
Century
Bush Signs Homeland
Security Bill
The Homeland
Security Act of 2002
Homeland
Security Flow Chart
Kissinger:
The Secret Side of our Secretary of
State
Court Denies
Office of Homeland Security
Motion
Tom Ridge
Confesses Terror Alerts Were
Bogus
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