Rep. Ike Skelton(D-Mo.) and Rep. William (Mac) Thornberry(R-Tx) thought it was time to prepare for terrorism and each offered bills to get the government into the business of protecting its citizenry, this was in March of 2001. They tried to force Bush to listen and his May annoucement that Cheney would lead a task force was the result. Though it NEVER MET!!!
First, Thornberry proposed HR1158, a very detailed outline/plan based on the Hart/Rudman report, to bring together various governmental departments to prepare the country for forthcoming terrorist attacks. This must have been a problem for Team Thief because as we all know they don’t like those pesky congresspersons trying to “run” things. The President’s power was being infringed upon again, eh?
Not so fast George, Rep. Ike Skelton with his bill, HR1292, took a different approach saying basically, ‘hey, we need the people who are going to run Homeland Security to put this together.’ In essence saying, “Shrub, there is a problem here, just DO something…anything.” Of course Skelton asked that congress be kept abreast and have basic oversight of what Rove/Cheney/Hughes came up with...
George DID NOTHING!!!
the REPUGS controlled ALL three branches of the government. It was before Jeffords switched. Hassert and BUSH killed these bills.Here is an excerpt from Rep. Skelton's testimony before the Transportation and Government Reform Committees on Homeland Security in April 2001.
http://www.house.gov/transportation/pbed/04-24-01/skelton.html"The president and his departmental secretaries are in the best position to know the answers to issues concerning use of the military in homeland security. As a result, H.R. 1292 directs the president to devise and implement this strategy."--
What happened to HR1292?
Excerpt from the “Status” of Skelton’s bill HR1292
4/4/2001: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
8/10/2001: Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from DOD.
How do you have an unfavorable comment about a bill that asks Bush to do ANYTHING, just SOMETHING!!!!_______
H.R.1158
Sponsor: Rep Thornberry, William (Mac)(introduced 3/21/2001)
SUMMARY AS OF:
3/21/2001--Introduced.
National Homeland Security Agency Act - Establishes a National Homeland Security Agency. Requires the Agency's Director, who shall serve as an advisor to the National Security Council, to: (1) plan, coordinate, and integrate those U.S. Government activities relating to homeland security, including border security and emergency preparedness, and act as a focal point regarding natural and manmade crises and emergency planning; (2) work with State and local governments and executive agencies in protecting U.S. homeland security and support State officials through the use of regional offices around the country; (3) provide overall planning guidance to such agencies regarding homeland security; (4) establish command and control procedures for potential contingencies, including those that require military assets; and (5) annually develop a Federal response plan for homeland security and emergency preparedness.
Transfers to the Agency the authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Customs Service, the Border Patrol of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office and the Institute of Information Infrastructure Protection of the Department of Commerce, and the National Infrastructure Protection Center and the National Domestic Preparedness Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Establishes within the Agency: (1) separate Directorates of Prevention, Critical Infrastructure Protection, and Emergency Preparedness and Response; and (2) an Office of Science and Technology to advise the Director with regard to research and development efforts and priorities for such directorates.
Requires the Director to establish mechanisms for the sharing of information and intelligence with U.S. and international intelligence entities.
Status of HR1158:
3/21/2001: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
4/23/2001: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations.
4/24/2001: Joint Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management and by the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and International Relations (Government Reform Committee).
***
Part 2: Rep. Ike Skelton, proposed HR1292 in March 29, 2001.
Bill description:
H.R. 1292, the Homeland Security Strategy Act of 2001 (Rep. Ike Skelton), directs the President to: develop a strategy for homeland security by identifying threats and developing specific strategies for anti-terrorism and emergency management; identify executive departments, agencies, and other organizations that should play a role in protecting homeland security and specify each organization’s role; provide for the selective use of military personnel and assets; optimize the use of intelligence capabilities; improve medical response capability and equipment stockpiles at federal, state, and local levels; and designate a single official in the federal government to be responsible for homeland security. This proposal is also based on the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on National Security for the 21st Century.
Status of H.R.1292
3/29/2001:
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Judiciary, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
3/29/2001: Referred to House Armed Services
4/4/2001: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
8/10/2001: Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from DOD.
(I'd like to see that "unfavorable' comment)
3/29/2001: Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
3/30/2001: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
4/24/2001: Joint Hearing Held by the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management and by the Subcommittee on National Security, Veteran's Affairs and International Relations (Government Reform).
3/29/2001: Referred to House Judiciary
4/19/2001: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
3/29/2001: Referred to House Select Committee on Intelligence