Colleen Deacon still doesn’t have a “national security” section on her website
Two weeks ago, the NRCC drew attention to the “issues” section of Colleen Deacon’s website. According to The Auburn Citizen, “That section doesn’t contain any mention of the Democratic candidate’s national security positions.”
We decided to check in today – exactly 4 weeks until Election Day – and Deacon still doesn’t have a national security section. That makes it hard to take Deacon at her word when she says, “first and foremost, keeping America safe is obviously our number one priority.”
And for those keeping score at home, 11 national security-related Katko bills have passed the House and 5 were signed into law. You can see the list below.
NRCC Comment: “We are exactly 4 weeks away from Election Day and Colleen Deacon still doesn’t have a plan to keep America safe from terrorist threats. It’s hard to take Colleen Deacon at her word about national security being her top priority when doesn’t even have a national security section on her website.” –NRCC Spokesman Chris Pack
Katko-passed Bills Focused On National Security
TSA Office of Inspection Accountability Act: requires TSA Office of Inspection officers be engaged in a minimum level of investigative work in order to obtain the title of investigators. This avoids duplication and redundancy, while keeping TSA’s resources focused on security. Signed Into Law.
Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act: requires TAS to conduct outreach & work with airports to create plans to train/respond to active shooter situations and other terror threats. Signed into Law.
SAFEGATES Act: Requires that a set of uniform, strict standards be met for security screening at airports that serve as a last point of departure for flights bound for the United States. Requires that relevant federal agencies cooperate to ensure that these standards are being met, and that the U.S. government coordinates with foreign governments that host LPD airports to ensure all passengers are receiving adequate screening before entering US airspace. Signed Into Law As Part of FAA Bill
The Checkpoints Optimization & Efficiency Act: Provides the TSA with some flexibility to move resources around to deal with increasing wait times, but makes clear that security takes precedence over convenience. Signed Into Law as Part of FAA Bill
TSA PreCheck Expansion Act: Requires TSA to set clear standards for PreCheck program and to work with public/private entities to increase access to the program – improving efficiency at airports low-risk travelers. Became Law as part of FAA bill
Northern Border Security Review Act: requires examination of security along Northern border to identify gaps or weaknesses that could make U.S. vulnerable. Passed the House.
Improved Security Vetting for Aviation Workers Act: Improves screening of airport employees with access to secure areas of our nation’s airports, including background checks and continuous updating of employee’s criminal record. Passed the House.
Airport Access Control Security Improvement Act: Requires TSA to create a risk-based model for screening employees with access to secure parts of our nation’s airports. Securing airports from insider threats must be a top-priority in light of attacks in other parts of the world that were instigated by employees. This bill helps to alleviate this threat. Passed the House.
Transportation Security Administration Reform & Improvement Act: Contains a number of reforms to the TSA to make it more efficient, and better able to secure the nation’s airports. Contains provisions to increase access to the TSA PreCheck application process, which is a critical component of efforts to create a secure and efficient screening system. Passed the House.
The Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act: Establishes a board within the Department of Homeland Security to serve as a coordination point to integrate various Department counterterrorism operations. Passed the House.
The National Strategy to Combat Terrorist Travel Act: Directs the President to submit a national strategy to Congress to combat the movement of foreign terrorist fighters around the world. Passed the House.