FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BUSH Executive Order on Surface Transportation Security - yet another smokescreen
December 6, 2006 -- Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland
Security issued the following statement in reaction to last night's release of an Executive Order by the White House
aimed at strengthening our nation's surface transportation security:
"I fail to understand the President's timing or purpose in issuing this Executive Order. This Administration was already
required by Congress to take comprehensive steps to secure our nation's surface transportation systems nearly two years
ago and they failed to do so.
"This Order will do little to address the serious vulnerabilities plaguing our nation's rail and mass transit systems.
It is just another smokescreen as this Administration continues to make plans to make plans. The American people deserve
more than just plans -- they deserve to be safe and secure. That is why I introduced the Rail and Public Transportation
Security Act of 2006, which addresses the critical security gaps that have been ignored by this Congress and this
Administration since 9/11, Thompson added.
"This issue is of vital importance to the nation and I will introduce similar legislation early next Congress aimed at
protecting the millions of men and women who ride our nation's buses, trains and subways everyday."
United States House of Representatives
Committee on Homeland Security - Democratic Staff
H2-117, Ford House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515
http://hsc-democrats.house.gov