Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

As Congress reconvened this week, Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, called on the House leadership to work in a bipartisan fashion to bring the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to the House floor for a vote as soon as possible.  Cardoza, together with over 100 Members of Congress, has co-sponsored a bill that presents the Commission's recommendations in legislative form.

“The 9/11 Commission has done their job.  Now, we need to do ours,” Cardoza said.  “The House leadership should act without delay on this critical legislation.  We owe it to the families of the victims of 9/11 to use this report to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.”

 The 9/11 Commission has recommended sweeping changes in how our intelligence agencies and the Department of Homeland Security operate.  The bill would follow the blueprint set by the 9-11 Commission, and:

·         Create a strong National Intelligence Director

·         Improve Congressional oversight

·         Ensure an integrated terrorist watch list

·         Strengthen the FBI's ability to collect and analyze domestic intelligence

·         Create an integrated strategic plan for aviation and transportation security

·         Improve airline passenger and baggage screening

·         Improve coordination between FAA and military authorities

·         Provide for the increased assignment of radio spectrum for safety purposes

·         Protect our civil liberties

·         Make the Select Committee on Homeland Security permanent

“We had this bill six weeks ago, but the leadership refused to return from recess,” Cardoza said.  “Now that we have reconvened, there is no excuse for further delay.  I am ready to do what must be done to protect our homeland.  That is why we are working to immediately implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations.  Time is not on our side.”