Homeland Security Funding Commission
to terrorism in a less rational way. The Commission would put rationality into the homeland security funding process.
The makeup of the Commission would include nine Commissioners, who must be nominated by the President for Senate confirmation. In selecting individuals for nominations for appointments to the Commission, the President will consult with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the majority leader of the Senate concerning the appointment of two members each, and consult with the minority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate concerning the appointment of one member each. This ensures a bipartisan makeup of the Commission and works to reduce the political nature of the decisions that the Commission will make.
The Commission should examine both statewide needs and needs of individual locales, including those operated by bi-state or multi-state commissions/authorities. Each would be assessed for its needs - security, integration into national infrastructure networks (electricity, transportation, communications, etc.), vulnerabilities, and what steps can be taken to improve security. Also, how those facilities can be improved for response to incidents should be addressed by the Commission.
Once enacted, the Commission should be empowered to provide recommendations within a year (and ideally within months of enactment), such that Congress can vote on the recommendations swiftly and thereby properly fund homeland security programs around the country.
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