Smith: Comprehensive Homeland Security Bill Will Benefit New Jersey

Press Release

Smith: Comprehensive Homeland Security Bill Will Benefit New Jersey

Highlighting provisions that create a new risk-based formula and mandate 100% cargo screening for our nation's ports, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) said final approval of comprehensive legislation to strengthen federal homeland security laws could increase New Jersey's share of federal homeland security funds and will help local officials as they work to keep our residents safe.

The conference report for "Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007" (H.R. 1)—which aims to enact many of the remaining recommendations of the 9/11 Commission—not only establishes a new risk-based formula for grants and strengthens port security, but it also gives the Privacy and Civil Liberties Board additional tools and resources to protect civil liberties and authorizes $1.6 billion in federal funds to improve first responders communications systems.

"Because of the numerous high-risk areas in our state, New Jersey should receive a larger share of federal homeland security funding than we currently do and we will likely see additional funds directed our way from the enhanced risk-based formula established by this legislation," Smith said about the provision that establishes a risk-formula that attributes significant value to known targets and on-going investigations and surveillance in a given area when determining how to distribute the majority of homeland security and first responder grants.

Smith—who has been pushing for a risk-based formula for years—noted that this reform is supported by members of the New Jersey delegation, a majority of the House of Representatives and the Bush Administration.

Smith stated that the new federal funding formula is not the only way H.R. 1 will help make New Jersey residents safer, pointing to the new mandate requiring 100% screening of all U.S.-bound seaborne cargo containers loaded in foreign ports by July 2012.

"This bill adds an additional layer of security at our ports by ensuring that the contents of each container bound to the U.S. are verified prior to arrival," Smith said.

Additionally, H.R. 1 provides immunity from civil lawsuits in federal, state and local courts for individuals who "in good faith" report suspicious activities relating to passenger safety in a transit system and would apply retroactively to claims filed on or after October 1, 2006.

"In order to win the War on Terror, we need Americans to remain vigilant. For example, if it weren't for an alert citizen, the plot to attack Fort Dix might still be in motion—or worse yet, already carried out. Citizens who inform authorities of a potential threat should be recognized in a positive manner, not intimidated with lawsuits because they reported suspicious activities," said Smith.

Smith also said the provisions of the bill that make the Privacy and Civil Liberties Board an independent agency and require public availability of data-mining reports are important reforms.

"The federal government has an obligation to protect the privacy of American citizens while still doing everything in its power to protect our nation from a terrorist attack. The independent Privacy and Civil Liberties Board will help better ensure that we strike a proper balance between security needs and our cherished civil rights," said Smith.

Smith—whose Congressional District is home to more than 50 families who lost relatives in the 9/11 attacks—was the lead Republican sponsor of legislation to establish an independent investigative 9/11 Commission in the 107th Congress.

"I advocated early and consistently for a Commission to chronicle the lessons learned from the 9/11 tragedy and develop a well-informed, thoughtful strategy to reduce the risk of future terrorist attacks. Our obligation to the American people does not end with creation of a commission or enactment of their recommendations. We must also recommit ourselves to the faithful and consistent implementation of these reforms," Smith said.

The conference report for H.R. 1 overwhelmingly passed the House by a vote of 371-40. It passed the Senate last night and will now be sent to President Bush for his signature into law. Smith urged President Bush to sign the bill into law.

"Since the horrific attacks of 9/11 we have implemented numerous important measures that have bolstered our national security. The president should further bolster our national security by signing this bill into law," Smith said.

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