Shelley Moore Capito, November 15, 2002

People of the 21st century like efficiency – they want to enhance it, maximize it and capitalize on it. Efficiency is one of the main reasons people travel to super Wal-Marts to do all of their shopping – everything from new jeans to more milk. Having everything under one roof is most efficient.

Likewise, government of the 21st century must be efficient in managing the day-to-day functions of civilization. Whether it’s a matter of providing prescription drugs for our seniors, creating new jobs for our workforce or building new schools for our children, government needs to find the most effective way of accomplishing the task at hand.

Terrorism poses an immediate threat to our nation’s security. Protecting our nation, our communities and our loved ones from the threat of terrorists and other national emergencies is a large priority that has become increasingly complex in recent years as new weapons and means of destruction have been developed.

Recognizing this serious threat, the House of Representatives passed a plan to create a new Department of Homeland Security in August. Unfortunately, the plan remained stalled in the Senate because the necessary amount of votes could not be gathered to pass the plan.

However, after months of negotiations, the White House and Congress have come to an agreement. House and Senate leaders diligently worked together to arrive at a bipartisan compromise plan to establish a Department of Homeland Security before the end of the year.

The Homeland Security Act of 2002, outlines the department’s primary mission as preventing terrorist attacks within the United States by reducing our vulnerability. The department is also responsible for minimizing the damage and assisting in the recovery from terrorist attacks.

Many agencies that defend our borders, including the Coast Guard, Customs Service and portions of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, will move to the Department of Homeland Security. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which leads the government’s response to natural and man-made disasters, will also fall under the department’s jurisdiction.

A firm structure within the federal government will provide the help and guidance that towns, cities and counties need as they continue to ensure the safety of citizens across the country.

New threats require new thinking. The Department of Homeland Security will centralize and coordinate our efforts, in the most efficient way, to provide government’s most basic function – protecting its citizens.

Shelley Moore Capito is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia.