Congressman Perlmutter Only Freshman and Member of Colorado Delegation to Sit on Conference Committee

July 27, 2007

Today, the United States House of Representatives by a vote of 371 to 40 passed H.R. 1, Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007.

H.R. 1 applies the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and delivers on Congress’ first responsibility to keep the American people secure. Yesterday, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the bill by a vote of 85 to 8.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) was the only freshman member and the only member of the Colorado Delegation to participate in the Conference Committee. He was chosen by the House leadership to be a part of the Conference Committee as part of his work on the House Homeland Security Committee.

"I am proud to be the only freshman member who was on the Conference Committee of this important piece of legislation. My colleagues and I from both sides of the aisle worked extremely hard on this bill and today’s overwhelmingly bipartisan vote only underscores the role Congress must continue to play in keeping our nation secure. Almost 3 years since the 9/11 Commission Report was released the Democratic-led Congress has finally implemented their recommendations," stated Perlmutter.

Included in H.R. 1 was an amendment introduced by Rep. Perlmutter which makes the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) in Pueblo, CO, part of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium. This provision enables TTCI, the premier rail security facility in the nation, to train first responders from around the world in ways to promote rail security and avoid potential disasters such as the London and Madrid subway bombings.

Perlmutter said, "Adding the TTCI to the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium will help to make our nation’s railways more secure in addition to providing for a world class training facility for our first responders right here in Colorado. President Bush needs to sign this bill into law for the security of the nation."

The Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007 comes almost six years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and roughly three years after the bipartisan and independent 9/11 Commission presented guidelines for security to Congress and the American people. The House version of the bill was the first piece of legislation passed by the new Democratic Congress in January. The bill now goes to the President’s desk for his signature.

Other vital provisions of the bill include:

• Within five years, screening of 100% of air and maritime cargo containers prior to arrival in the U.S.
• Restructuring homeland security grant programs to be distributed based upon risk.
• Better integrating our information sharing environment to move important intelligence up and across departmental lines in a timely manner.
• Providing state and local governments with additional resources to conduct thorough emergency management exercises to refine training methods, enhance relationships with partner agencies, and create an agreed-upon incident command structure.
• Providing a grant program for state and local governments to purchase interoperable communications equipment.
• Requiring critical infrastructure facilities to conduct risk-assessment evaluations and take appropriate mitigating action.
• Providing civil immunity from good Samaritans who report suspicious activity.