Legislators Respond to Report Card on Unfulfilled 9/11 Commission Recommendations

Yesterday, nearly one week before the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) released a report card, which highlight nine of the 41 recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission that remain unfinished. The report was authored by BPC’s National Security Preparedness Group, under the leadership of former 9/11 Commission Chair Tom Kean and Vice Chair Lee Hamilton.

Congressional leaders from both parties lauded the report and highlighted ongoing efforts in the legislature to fulfill the Commission’s recommendations. Below are two reactions:

Representative Peter King, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security:

“I commend Gov. Kean and Rep. Hamilton for producing yet another insightful report that should serve to guide Congress and other policymakers as we work to further secure our homeland from al-Qaeda and its affiliates and adherents. “Their report highlights a number of significant shortcomings in our efforts of the past 10 years, noting major unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The findings reaffirm my long-held position on two important homeland security issues. “I was heartened to see the Commissioners repeat their support for immediate reallocation of the D Block for public safety for the construction of a nationwide, interoperable broadband network for use by America’s first responders. I have introduced the bipartisan H.R. 607, the Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011, to do just that…”

Read more here.

Senator Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

“The report is a wake-up call for everyone reflecting on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. Implementing a national, interoperable radio system for our first responders is within our grasp. It will save lives all across the country, and we owe it to first responders to get it done. There is bipartisan legislation awaiting Senate action that would accomplish this goal. I urge my colleagues to join me and read this report card and rededicate themselves to getting this done.”

Read more here.