Ensuring the Implementation the 9/11 Commission Recommendations

Five years after September 11th Republicans in Congress have still not implemented the bipartisan recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. In order to truly be safe, we must take all the steps necessary to secure our homeland, support first responders and equip our intelligence community with the tools they need to protect Americans from terrorism.

Improve Emergency Preparedness and Response. The legislation provides ample radio spectrums for first responders so they can adequately respond to terrorist attacks and natural disasters. The proposal provides $500 million for interoperability grants.

Increase Assistance for First Responders. The legislation distributes homeland security funding based upon assessments of risk and vulnerability of a particular region. It also requires a review of first responder training and removes civil liability barriers that discourage the donation of fire equipment to volunteer fire companies. The Act provides $790 million for first responders.

Implement Real Border Security. The legislation requires reports on the 9/11 Commission recommendations regarding counterterrorist travel intelligence, comprehensive screening system, biometric entry and exit data system, international collaboration on border and document security, standardization of secure identification, and security enhancements for social security cards. The Act provides $320 million to enhance border security.

Reform the Intelligence Community. The legislation requires mandates the continuing implementation of intelligence reform measures from the 9/11 Commission involving the director of national intelligence, national counterterrorism center, the creation of a Federal Bureau of Investigation national security workforce, new missions for the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and incentives for information sharing.

Balance Civil Liberties and Executive Power. The legislation balances security needs and civil liberties while strengthening the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and setting privacy guidelines for government sharing of personal information.

Promote Institutional Reform in Congress. The legislation strengthens House and Senate Homeland Security oversight of homeland security and intelligence programs.

Create Standardize Security Clearances. The legislation requires a report on the implementation of standardization of security clearances with the purpose of preventing national security leaks.

Improve the United States' Foreign Policy. The legislation mandates the implementation of a long-term economic plan to ensure Afghanistan's stability and to assist Pakistan's failing education system. The Act calls for the elimination of terrorist sanctuaries, details a comprehensive coalition strategy against Islamist terrorism, sets a course for developing standards for the detention and humane treatment of captured terrorists and emphasizes the use of economic policies to help battle the conditions that foster extremism. Finally, the act also sets forth actions to ensure vigorous efforts against terrorist financing.

Improve the United States' Public Diplomacy. The legislation requires a report on the implementation of public diplomacy training and members of the Foreign Service and the expansion of U.S. scholarship, exchange, and library programs in Islamic countries. The Broadcasting Board of Governors is required to submit a review of the progress, impact and funding needs of Radio Sawa and Radio Al-Hurra. The Act also supports the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and authorizes the appropriation of $50 million in Fiscal Years 2007 and 2008 to support the International Youth Opportunity Fund

Increase Nonproliferation Efforts. The legislation establishes the Office of Nonproliferation Programs in the Executive Office of the President, expands the Proliferation Security Initiative and the Global Threat Reduction Initiative. A report on Russia's non-strategic nuclear weapons is also required.

» The Real Security Act of 2005
» Implement the 9/11 Commission Recommendations
» Refocus on the War on Terror
» Protect Our Transportation Systems
» Equip Our Intelligence Community to Fight Against Terrorists
» Change the Course in Iraq
» Provide Better Tools to Bring Terrorists to Justice