Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. I do not consent.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey), a member of the committee.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Chairman, this is a substitute that is complete. If you look at it, it addresses all the vulnerabilities of our country; and I ask the body to support it.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen). (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) will be postponed. Sequential Votes Postponed in Committee of the Whole

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute made in order under the rule.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Zoe Lofgren). (Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin). (Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the Democratic whip.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, last year we passed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, which included significant funding boosts for homeland security programs. When the President signed the 9/11 bill, he made a commitment to our law enforcement personnel. He said, ``We will continue to work with Congress to make sure they have got the resources necessary to do their jobs.'' However, when the President's budget came out in January, it failed to fully fund the programs in the 9/11 Act. Frontline officers tell us that they do not have the resources they need to get the job done. The Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Service has been in a hiring freeze since late last year. The border patrol simply does not have the manpower or the support staff to be able to effectively do its job. Simply signing a bill is not enough. You have got to do what you promised to do. What we have been asking for today, in introducing this bill, is for the President to explain why it is not necessary to fully fund the 9/11 Act to better secure our Nation. Accountability is the key to homeland security. If the President is not going to make sure that homeland security increases are identified as being needed and are in the budget, then the American people deserve to know why. Additionally, this motion to recommit addresses a major threat in aviation security. The Rules Committee blocked consideration of this important measure, Mr. Speaker. Every day the TSA fails to inspect the millions of tons of cargo shipped in the belly of passenger planes is yet another day American lives are put at risk. I urge my colleagues to join me and approve this motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This amendment would remove civil liability barriers from the donation of fire equipment for volunteer fire companies. As a former volunteer firefighter from a small community, I understand how important it is to have the equipment you need to protect fellow citizens. Although I am going to support this amendment, the issue needs to be studied further once we get into conference. I am concerned that there are no assurances that the equipment would perform as expected, and therefore, many of the firefighters who would use this equipment potentially could be harmed. We must ensure that our firefighters are adequately protected. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, only for the sake of discussion and procedure do I do that, as I am in absolute agreement with the author of the amendment. This amendment adds an additional paragraph for reimbursement of costs that a State may incur for terrorism preparedness. It would allow for the reimbursement for activities that a State may perform which are traditionally Federal responsibilities. It is common sense, it is the right thing, and I support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, in order to speak on this amendment, I claim the time in opposition.