John Edwards 2004 On The Issues

John Edwards' Plan To Strengthen Domestic Defense

John Edwards has proposed a comprehensive strategy to strengthen America�s domestic defense. In a post-September 11th world, preparation is critical, and John Edwards has been working tirelessly to make sure that America is prepared. In order to create a stronger, safer America, our intelligence system must be overhauled to better track down terrorists; our police officers, firefighters, and emergency response personnel must have the resources and equipment they need to protect Americans; our ports and borders must be secure, and our chemical plants and nuclear power must be protected. John Edwards has fought special interests to improve security at our chemical plants, and he has introduced eight bills to improve our domestic defense, and he has helped lead the fight against special interests to improve security at our chemical plants. But two years have passed since terrorists murdered more than 3,000 people, and Washington still has not done enough to protect our country.

Stopping Terrorists in Our Midst:

"The central goal of a new homeland intelligence agency should be uncovering terrorist threats before they cause harm. That effort will have three basic components: first, to gather information about terrorists, their activities, and their plans; second, to analyze data, search for patterns, and assess threats; and third, to get that information and analysis to the right people so we can stop terrorists before they harm us."

Securing our Infrastructure:
"September 11th awakened us to the massive damage terrorists could cause with airplanes, and we've taken good measures to harden airline security. Unfortunately, we have a dangerous pattern of closing the barn door after the terrorists have attacked. It's time to get ahead of them. We know they want to cause the most death, destruction, economic disruption, and fear they can. And so while we can never predict just what terrorists will do, we have a pretty good sense about other likely targets. We need to harden those targets."

Supporting our First Responders:
"We wouldn't send our soldiers into battle without the best equipment in the world. Yet on the front lines of domestic defense, this administration is cutting aid to cops, states are laying them off, and they're not getting training and equipment they need.The administration may think domestic defense is about changing the color code from yellow to orange. Let me tell you something: the colors that will make America safer are firefighter red, EMT white, and police officer blue."

Details of Edwards Homeland Security Plan

For a comprehensive view of John Edwards plan to protect the American people, read his fact sheets about Homeland Security.

Track Down And Stop Terrorists

A New Homeland Intelligence Agency

Edwards will establish a new Homeland Intelligence Agency focused entirely on intelligence gathering and analysis.

The new agency will:

Contain all foreign intelligence operatives working in the United States.
Protect the rights of all Americans with new judicial review requirements, new public reporting requirements, and a new office of individual liberties.

A Safe and Free America

Edwards has strongly opposed measures by Attorney General John Ashcroft that undermine our civil liberties without increasing our security.

Edwards has vocally criticized the administration policy which allows the indefinite detention of a United States citizen arrested on United States soil as an "enemy combatant" without access to a lawyer or a day in court.

Help for Front Line Officers

Police on the front lines need better warning information, more security clearances, and better access to newly combined federal watch lists.

Under Edwards, Anti-Terrorism Intelligence Distribution Act, first responders in different regions of every state will be carefully chosen to receive classified information on terrorist threats.

More Secure State IDs

Because 7 of the 19 hijackers on September 11th had fake IDs, Edwards has called for stronger basic standards for state-issued IDs. He will give states money to help do the job.

Tighten Our Border Security

Borders

Edwards supports substantial increases in the ranks of the INS, Border Patrol, and consular officials. These officials will be specifically dedicated to fighting terrorism.

Seaports

Edwards has called for the use of more sophisticated screening technology at our ports.

Edwards will accelerate the move to an "EZ-Pass System," so that shippers that improve their security will move through ports more quickly.

Protect Our Most Vulnerable Targets

Chemical Plants

At 123 chemical plants, a terrorist attack could kill or injure more than 1 million people. Security at many of these plants remains weak.

Edwards has fought on the Senate floor for tough new safety standards at chemical plants vulnerable to terrorist attacks. These efforts have been opposed by the chemical industry.

Skyscrapers and Arenas
Today, many tall buildings and arenas lack state-of-the-art security and blast-resistant materials. Edwards introduced the Building Security Act to support research into improved safety standards, building construction, and building security methods. The bill also establishes a new task force to develop improvements in a private security industry that is too often inadequately trained, screened, and supervised.

Cybersecurity

Edwards introduced the National Cyber Security Leadership Act to make the government's computer systems less vulnerable to attack.

While today only a few federal agencies follow best practices for securing their computers against cyber attack, this Act requires all federal agencies to adopt those practices.

Improve Domestic Readiness

First Responders

Edwards introduced legislation to provide $50 billion for cash-strapped states and local governments. Included in the funding was a $10 billion infusion for homeland security to be split between states and major cities. Then funds could be used to hire, retain, and equip police officers, firefighters and EMTs.

Homeland Security Scholarships

Edwards introduced legislation to offer college scholarships to students who commit to serving in shortage homeland security professions for at least five years after graduation.

Improved Emergency Warnings

The color-coded warning system is often more confusing than helpful and does not reach all Americans in the event of a nighttime attack. Senator Edwards Emergency Warning Act requires the provision of better, faster and more practical information using all available technologies, including traditional telephones, cell phones, and pagers.

Getting Americans Involved

Edwards will support communities that encourage every citizen to serve - for example, for a weekend each year.

He has also proposed supporting neighborhood watches and enabling them to better address homeland security concerns. Edwards has introduced legislation to encourage the creation of thousands of neighborhood watch groups by 2007.

Source: John Edwards for President 2004 Web Site