The continuing threat of both international and domestic terrorism makes Homeland Security a key issue in the 2006 election season. Read what each senatorial candidate thinks about the state of homeland security, and how they plan to improve it. This is the first of three segments, and covers Senate races in states from Arizona through Massachusetts.
Arizona
Democratic candidate Jim Pederson released this statement on homeland security in Arizona in August 2006:
Our government must be both tough and smart in prosecuting the fight against terrorism, and in Arizona, that starts with restoring the tens of millions of dollars cut from our Homeland Security Funding …. Congress should demand a change to the funding formula so that the money gets to the communities most at risk.
- Pederson's statements on homeland security and terrorism issues.
Republican incumbent Jon Kyl, discussing aircraft security in August:
Now is a good time to review what mechanisms we have in place to ensure that terrorists are intercepted before aircraft leave the ground, to determine how those mechanisms can be improved, and to examine vulnerabilities in the processing of international travelers.
- Kyl's voting record on homeland security and terrorism issues.
California
Democratic party candidate Diane Feinstein, introducing the Homeland Security Forward Funding Act of 2005:
…We need to adopt risk-based analysis to determine where our homeland security funding goes, rather than continue with the present system of ad-hoc determinations, "small state minimums" and poorly-understood decision-making that leave some targets exposed to threats while sending resources to places where there is little chance of terrorist attack.
- Feinstein's voting record on homeland security and terrorism issues.
- Feinstein's comments on CNN in a 2006 program on port security.
Current Republican State Senator Richard Mountjoy, on the issue of homeland security:
The government must have the tools necessary to root out terrorist cells in America. I fully support President Bush's anti-terrorism plans.
- Mountjoy's position on homeland security and terrorism issues.
Connecticut
Ned Lamont, Democratic candidate, gives his perspective on how campaign issues should be focused:
We ought to be focused on homeland security. We ought to be focused on our ports, on our airports and public transportation . . . .
- Lamont's position on homeland security and terrorism issues.
- Speech on national security delivered at Yale Law School in September.
According to Republican candidate Alan Schlesinger's campaign website statement on immigration:
Alan believes that we must first secure our borders. Using satellite surveillance, a fence and unmanned aircraft, we must halt the continual flood of illegal immigrants.
Current Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman, who is running as an Independent, proposing an Amendment to the Homeland Security budget in 2004:
Yes, we are stronger and safer at home thanks to the Department and other steps we have taken since 9/11. But no, we are not nearly as safe as we should be. We are not as safe as we should be because this Administration has not given homeland security the focused leadership and resources it demands.
- Lieberman's 2006 9/11 anniversary statement on the state of homeland security.
Delaware
Incumbent Democrat, Thomas Carper, on the need for more robust cybersecurity:
The importance of cybersecurity is often times overlooked in the discussion of homeland security. Cybersecurity plays an important role in the protection of our critical infrastructure.
- Statements on rail security at 2004 Rail Security Commerce Committed meeting.
Jan Ting, Republican candidate, addressing the 2003 National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States:
…I propose that Congress authorize the President before the start of each fiscal year to decide, in consultation with Congress, the appropriate number of immigrants to admit that fiscal year ….This flexibility in setting the overall level of immigration may prove useful in facilitating and supporting the war on terrorism and enhancing homeland security.
- Ting's position on homeland security and terrorism issues.