The White House delivered to Congress June 18 its detailed
proposal for a new Homeland Security Department in hopes of
winning quick passage on Capitol Hill. Tom Ridge, the White
House homeland security chief, brought the measure to
Republican and Democratic leaders, who are already
beginning work on the bill with a goal of sending it to
President Bush by Sept. 11, according to AP.
Despite the bipartisan unity, there were a few cautionary notes. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, for one, pointed out that creation of a new homeland security department by itself “doesn’t do the job” and that Congress and the administration will have to do much more to safeguard Americans at home.
Bush planned to meet later Today at the White House with congressional leaders as aides fanned out across the Capitol to press for support.