On The Issues

The tragic events of September 11, 2001 illustrated that we need to be more diligent in protecting America from terrorists. Since then, Congress has taken several concrete steps to protect our nation, including creating the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate government efforts in fighting terrorism.

Going forward, we must use technology as a tool for securing our nation and fighting the war on terrorism. This means leveraging our national assets-- including the National Labs, universities, the private sector and small business-- to develop and bring to bear technologies designed to protect critical infrastructure, identify threats and prevent potential attacks.

Congress must do everything possible to empower our local first responders to respond to any chemical or biological incident. Our top priority must be to develop a national strategy to identify the most likely threats and prioritize our response. We can improve communities’ ability to respond to health emergencies and coordinate with federal agencies, increase the vaccine supply for certain infections and diseases, and aggressively maintain the safety of our food and water supplies.

I serve on the House Armed Services Committee, where I work to ensure that our military is the best and most effective fighting force in the world. By aggressively prosecuting the war on terrorism around the world, our servicemen and women help prevent terrorist organizations from bringing the fight to our shores.

Finally, I strongly believe that we must accomplish these goals while protecting the crucial civil liberties that have defined our nation for centuries, and while practicing a responsible foreign policy that renews our allies’ trust and improves America’s reputation abroad. 

Record to Prove It:

• Secured key funds for Puget Sound area defense projects, such as $1 million for high tech aircraft inspections, $1.7 million for small boat lifts for the U.S. Navy, which increase the lifespan and reduce maintenance costs of small boats, and $1.7 million for advancing laser defenses against man-portable surface-to-air missles (MANPADS).

• Voted for legislation that authorizes $2.9 billion for federal, state and local governments to prepare for and respond to acts of bio-terrorism, including funds to increase medicine and vaccine, expand facilities and labs run by the CDC and to safeguard the nation’s food and water supplies.

• Cosponsored the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act (SAFE Port Act) to update and strengthen the security procedures for screening cargo at our nation’s ports, including the Ports of Tacoma and Seattle. 

• Helped craft legislation which provides nearly $7 billion - a $1 billion increase over last year’s level - for Department of Defense and Department of Energy programs to combat terrorism and defeat weapons of mass destruction

• Cosponsored HR 3142, the Iraq Sovereignty Promotion Act, to explicitly state that the United States does not plan to have a permanent presence in Iraq

• Member of House Armed Services Committee, and member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, and the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces