Coastal
Post Online
January
2002
Letter from Woolsey
To Mr. Frank Scott [Coastal Post
Columnist]
Thank you for
contacting me about the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon. Since Sept. 11, my office has received more than 5,000 letters,
emails, faxes and phone calls related to the attacks and our nation's response.
I appreciate that you've taken the time to share your thoughts and given me the
opportunity to let you know what Congress is doing. I regret the delay in
responding.
Like you, I am
outraged and saddened by the events of Sept. 11. In an instant, we've been
propelled into a new era that requires us to carefully assess what is an
appropriate response to this new threat. To what extent should the federal
government help the people and industries directly affected by the attacks? How
can we increase our national security without unnecessarily infringing on our
civil liberties? Questions like these deserve careful consideration. That's why
I continually urge my colleagues to remember that just as Sept. 11 changed our
country, our response will also leave an indelible mark on the lives of the
American people.
Please know my
vote to authorize Presidential use of force was without question the most
difficult during my service in Congress, because like the overwhelming number
of my constituents, I oppose indiscriminate military action. That's why when
the resolution was being drafted, I insisted our leadership narrow it in scope
and not allow it to be a "blank check" for any future military action.
Once those concerns were addressed, it was right for me to stand in unity with
my colleagues and demonstrate our nation's steadfast determination to address
terrorism. As I stated on the House floor, it's my expectation that our
absolute resolve to bring the terrorists to justice must always be tempered
with wisdom. We must keep diplomatic efforts and coalition-building activities
as a focal point for the duration of "Operation Enduring Freedom."
With the onset of air strikes and limited use of ground troops, we must take a
very measured, deliberate approach that carefully targets only military and
political installations of the al Qaeda network and the Taliban. Our nation has
no argument with the innocent people of Afghanistan, and we must take every
precaution to ensure that we do not add to the number of innocent victims. I
support the humanitarian aid drops, and see them as a sign the Administration
grasps the importance of helping the innocent even as we punish the
guilty.
In the wake of the
attacks, Congress has debated proposals to fund recovery efforts, bring
financial stability and increase security to affected industries-including the
airline and insurance industries-as well as an antiterrorism package that
includes new, broad law enforcement powers. The $40 billion recovery aid
package that I supported will be used for: federal, state and local
preparedness efforts to counter, investigate and prosecute domestic and
international terrorism; increased security for transportation; repairing
damage to public facilities and systems; and supporting national security
efforts. Of the $40 billion total, at least $20 billion is to be allocated for
New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Please
know I voted against the bill that provided $15 billion to the airline industry
because it didn't include protections for airline workers who lost, or will
soon lose, their jobs due to Sept. 11. Workers need relief because they're now
jobless, and most without health care and adequate unemployment insurance for
themselves and their families. By not including help for workers, we severely
hinder our ability to carry out the needed security measures that are labor
intensive and require skilled, experienced employees.
It's crucial that Congress updates security
measures to increase passenger and flight safety, as Sept. 11 showed the
weaknesses in the current system. That's why I support a Democratic proposal
that steps up aviation security by placing it in the hands of federal law
enforcement personnel, including baggage and passenger screeners. This same
proposal passed the Senate 100-0. Unfortunately, the House defeated it in lieu
of a Republican measure that keeps the same private contractors in charge of
aviation security. This is unacceptable. You can be certain I'll continue to
urge that the final version includes the House Democratic and the Senate
language that protects passengers and restores public confidence in our
aviation security by federalizing aviation security personnel.
On Nov. 1, President Bush signed into law an
antiterrorism bill that contains many provisions that go far beyond the powers
necessary to fight terrorism on American soil. I voted against this bill in the
House because it created a false sense of security by authorizing broad new law
enforcement powers that will diminish civil liberties. The law enforcement
community does need additional tools to combat terrorism and ensure Americans'
safety. Nevertheless, we cannot embrace proposals that encroach on Americans'
civil liberties and ultimately make us less free. Congress must not let
terrorism win by weakening our government's system of checks and balances. For
example, the antiterrorism bill lifted limits on programs like Carnivore, the
tool to read private email correspondence, and leaves it up to the FBI to
decide what email content they would read and how the information would be
treated. In fact, an individual wouldn't even know their email is being read.
The people of Marin and Sonoma counties know the difference between
inconvenience and loss of civil liberties, and have made it overwhelmingly
clear that an unchecked power grab by law enforcement is unacceptable.
Again, thanks for keeping in touch during
this national tragedy. it is a privilege to represent the people of Marin and
Sonoma counties in Congress, and I hope you are doing well.
Lynn
Woolsey
Member of Congress
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