December 14, 2006—Speaker-elect Pelosi has repeatedly pledged that the Democrats would implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission; however, today when asked by a reporter about the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, Speaker-elect Pelosi stated that ‘you can’t do them all.’ There has been a change in tune but there has not been a change in action. In fact, the Democrats and Speaker-elect Pelosi have for the past several years voted against critical legislation that would help meet the suggestions in the 9/11 Commission Report. Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02), member of the Armed Services and Judiciary Committees, said,

“Congresswoman Pelosi and the vast majority of Democrats voted against nearly every piece of critical anti-terrorism legislation that Republicans brought before Congress in the last four years.  They voted against border security, tracking terrorist finances, listening to terrorist communications, and against effectively and aggressively interrogating terrorists in custody. 

“Terrorists are significantly emboldened now that Democrats have a majority in Congress.  Unless Democrats reverse their policies 180 degrees, this country is in grave danger of again falling prey to violent attacks of terrorists in the near future,” said Congressman Franks.  “Ultimately, if Congresswoman Pelosi’s and many of her Democrat colleagues’ present policies remain unchanged, I sincerely believe that America could face nuclear jihad in this generation.  It is that serious. The stunning reality is that they either do not understand the nature and gravity of this threat or they lack the will to face and defeat it.”

The following offers a glimpse of the voting history of Congresswoman Pelosi and House Democrats on national security and anti-terrorism legislation:

I. Information

The 9/11 Commission Report urged reform of the intelligence community, particularly in the gathering and sharing of information. The Global War on Terror is not only a physical war—it is a race for information.

In December 2005, House Republicans worked diligently to close loop holes, bolster civil liberty protections, and reauthorize expiring provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act that tore down the wall between the intelligence and law enforcement communities. 156 House Democrats voted against the measure, including Congresswoman Pelosi.

The Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act modernizes current electronic surveillance laws, implemented in 1978, so that they meet the needs of 2006. 177 House Democrats voted against the bill, including Congresswoman Pelosi.

The Military Commissions Act creates a new judicial system to effectively prosecute terrorists while protecting sensitive information, and also includes provisions regarding interrogations. 160 House Democrats voted against the bill, including Congresswoman Pelosi.

II. Terrorist Financing

The 9/11 Commission Report specifically recommended that the U.S. “Expect less from trying to dry up terrorist money and more from following the money for intelligence, as a tool to hunt terrorists, understand their networks, and disrupt their operations.” The report urged policy makers to vigorously track terrorist financing.

Rep. Michael Oxley (R-OH) introduced H.Res. 895, which supports intelligence and law enforcement programs that track terrorists, and condemning—with proper Congressional oversight—the publication of any classified information that could potentially impair the fight against terrorism.  174 House Democrats voted against the measure, including Congresswoman Pelosi.

III. Border Security

The 9/11 Commission noted that the 19 hijackers responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks carried between them 13 valid drivers’ licenses and 21 state-issued ID cards. 

House Republicans responded by enacting the REAL ID Act, which federally standardizes the requirements when applying for and issuing state identification cards.  152 House Democrats voted against this bill, including Congresswoman Pelosi.

House Republicans led the way in strengthening border security.  The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act, passed by the House in December 2005, takes steps to ensure terrorists cannot enter the United States illegally by establishing operational control of all borders and ports through enhanced Border Patrol operations, physical barriers, and state-of-the-art technology.  The bill also ends the “catch and release” practice along the southwest border and streamlines operations within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) border security agencies.  164 House Democrats voted against this measure, including Congresswoman Pelosi.

The Secure Fence Act of 2006 hardens our borders to guard against the threat of terrorism and stem the flow of illegal immigration along the southwest border by adding 700 miles of reinforced fencing and 1,000 new border inspectors.  This legislation was passed overwhelmingly by the House and Senate.  131 House Democrats voted against this measure, including Congresswoman Pelosi.

IV. Understanding the Enemy, Articulating Our Message

The 9/11 Commission Report offered more than legislative fixes to defend against another attack. They made serious observations and warnings for policy makers and the rest of the country to heed. They said that we need to understand the gravity of the threat, to know our enemies, and to constantly imagine of ways they might attack, so that we might deter the threat. This takes courage to recognize who our enemy is, and the intestinal fortitude as a nation, to remain steadfast in our commitment to protect our lives and liberties from violently intolerant religious zealots.

Despite this, Democrats continue to fail to make the moral distinction between terrorists and law-abiding people who wish to militarily defend themselves. The senior House Democrat said, “I don’t take sides for or against Hezbollah, or for or against Israel”. Juxtapose this comment with that of Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah who said, “We have discovered how to hit the Jews where they are the most vulnerable. The Jews love life, so that is what we shall take away from them. We are going to win because they love life and we love death.”

Not only do Democrats fail to make the critical moral distinction between us and our enemies, they also seem ignorant of many of the basic facts about our enemy. One senior Democrat, when speaking on the House Floor about the dangerous terrorist group, Hezbollah, did not even know their name, calling them ‘Hellabazoo’ the first time, and ‘Hezballoo’ the second.

Even if we do not understand our enemy, our enemy certainly understands themselves. Al Qaeda’s Aymin al-Zawahiri said: “The Jihad movement is growing and rising. It reached its peak with the two blessed raids on New York and Washington. And now it is waging a great heroic battle in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and even within the Crusaders’ own homes.”