Thursday, August 10, 2006

Some Congressional Reaction to the London News   [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Here's one from the House:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) today urged vigilance in waging the Global War on Terror after Britain announced that it had foiled a terrorist plot to blow up flights en route to the United States.   British officials arrested 21 people in connection with the plot, which they described as "intended to be mass murder on an unimaginable scale." 

"I want to thank the British authorities for their efforts to disrupt a major terrorist attack.  The Global War on Terror is unlike anything that we have ever faced," said Hensarling.  Next month we will remember the innocent people who perished five years ago in the 9/11 attacks.  The horrific events of that day must serve as a solemn reminder that we are fighting against an ideology that is a serious threat to our families and our country."

In response to the British terror plot, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security took the unprecedented step of raising the threat level for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom to "severe," or red - the highest level of alert.  Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff also announced that the threat level for all other commercial aircraft operating in or destined for the United States would be raised to "high," or orange.

"The threat we face continues to be very real and our enemy never stops working to find new ways to kill innocent men, women and children around the world," said Hensarling.   "Each act of terrorism underscores our need to avoid complacency and remain vigilant in working with our allies to defend our nation and our world at all costs."

"It is critically important that we stay one step ahead of our enemies by continuing our work to secure our country, whether in the skies or at our borders," Hensarling said.

And here's one from the Senate:

BOWLING GREEN, KY— U.S. Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell made the following statement Thursday regarding the disruption of a major terrorist plot centered in the United Kingdom, and the need for continued anti-terror efforts in the United States:

“This is yet another reminder, if anyone needed one, that the war on terror is not over. And it is a reminder that our military, law enforcement and intelligence forces are working around the clock and around the world to prevent attacks here at home.

“That's why we need more tools, not less, to fight terrorists. It is clear to anyone paying attention that our law enforcement and intelligence forces need every legal means at their disposal to be able connect the dots and prevent and disrupt al Qaeda’s attacks. Tools such as the terrorist surveillance program and others allow us to prevent the attacks before they happen, not just to respond when it’s too late. We must continue to arm our forces, so that they can disarm terrorists.” 

08/10 09:36 AMShare