Sununu Votes To Support Further 9/11 Commission Recomendations

Press Release

SUNUNU VOTES TO SUPPORT FURTHER 9/11 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS

United States Senator John Sununu (R-NH) voted late Thursday night (7/26) to support the "Improving America's Security Act," the conference report containing additional 9/11 Commission recommendations. The measure to further protect the nation against terrorism contains several Sununu amendments and passed the Senate by a vote of 85-8. The House of Representatives is expected to consider the Conference Report today and send it to the President for his signature.

"This bipartisan 9/11 Commission did an extraordinary job in laying out its recommendations by strengthening security measures to protect our nation from the ongoing threat of terrorism, reforming intelligence gathering, and examining foreign policy," said Sununu. "This legislation builds on that work and represents a sound investment in the security infrastructure of New Hampshire and the nation. I am proud to have contributed to its development by offering supporting amendments and voting for final passage."

Through the debate on the legislation, Sununu offered the following amendments, which were inserted into the final bill and remained in the Conference Report upon passage. The amendments provided for:

North Country Emergency Communications: Sununu amendment aids New Hampshire's North Country law enforcement agencies and fire-rescue departments gain access to critical radio channels and frequencies by requiring the Federal Communication Commission and the Department of State to examine the application process for public safety radio licenses near international borders. A thorough examination will help Congress determine if further steps are needed to address this critical communications function, including bilateral agreements on protocols that govern the application process.

Law enforcement and emergency personnel in northern New Hampshire have been prevented from accessing radio channel and frequencies as an unintended consequence of a licensing approval process resulting from diplomatic agreements between the United States and Canada. The two countries coordinate on radio licensing in border areas.

Data Mining Reform: Feingold/Sununu amendment requires federal agencies to report to Congress on their use and development of data mining technologies. The purpose of the measure is to ensure that this technology, which can analyze vast quantities of data, does not unintentionally infringe on Americans' personal privacy.

Emergency Grants and New Technology: Two Sununu amendments would prevent new technologies, particularly Internet Protocol (IP), from being excluded from consideration in the grant process.

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