Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Support Act

[Spike]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, today announced the introduction of his bill, the "Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Support Act of 2007," to bolster efforts at securing America's borders. Congressman Dent made the announcement at Queen City Municipal Airport in Allentown, surrounded by volunteer pilots and cadets of the Civil Air Patrol.

"This bill will authorize the Department of Homeland Security to enlist Civil Air Patrol (CAP) assets to help in the fight to keep our borders secure," Congressman Dent said. "This bill emerged in part from what I learned on a Congressional delegation trip to the U.S.-Mexico border at Laredo, Texas."

Congressman Dent's legislation authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to utilize CAP assets in two important kinds of homeland security missions. First, they can be deployed to protect against illegal entry, as well as against "trafficking in goods, currency, people, and other substances." Second, they can also be utilized in response to an act of terrorism or natural disaster by assisting in damage assessment, search and rescue, evacuations, and the transportation of essential materials.

"While at Laredo I was disturbed and surprised to learn that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not have access to enough aviation assets to help them counter the influx of illegal aliens migrating across the Rio Grande," Congressman Dent said. "This legislation would help CBP increase its aerial surveillance capabilities at the border by enlisting the aid of the Civil Air Patrol.

"Our local CAP officials have informed me that they are eager to participate in America's homeland security mission. The cost of flying and maintaining CAP aircraft is relatively inexpensive, the pilots are experienced, and the need for their assistance is great."

CAP is the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Congressman Dent said CAP has authorized a "Concept of Operations," which provides the mechanism for CAP assets to be used for missions not specifically directed by the Secretary of Defense. Congressman Dent's bill would formalize that arrangement between the Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security.

"I believe that by bringing CAP into the homeland security equation, this legislation will help in our fight against illegal immigration and will become an integral part of our nation's strategy to maintain border security."

[JohnKachenmeister]

Wasn't this proposed before and, last I heard, was still sitting in some committee somewhere while Congress figures out whether or not homosexuals should marry each other or not?

[AlphaSigOU]

Wasn't this proposed before and, last I heard, was still sitting in some committee somewhere while Congress figures out whether or not homosexuals should marry each other or not?

Ancient history, boss... me thinks that bill died in committee.

Unless he gets some serious big-dog sponsorship by his fellow Congresscritters, it's going to die a slow death again by never making it out of committee. If it was ever reintroduced.

[Spike]

Ancient history, boss... me thinks that bill died in committee.

Unless he gets some serious big-dog sponsorship by his fellow Congresscritters, it's going to die a slow death again by never making it out of committee. If it was ever reintroduced.

Transportation Committee moves Rep. Dent's Civil Air Patrol bill forward

Linky----> http://dent.house.gov/PressReleases.aspx?prid=312

[AlphaSigOU]

About time it got outta committee! Now will it survive a floor vote in the House?

[RiverAux]

As I reported a few weeks ago, it is still in the House homeland security committee.  Not ready for the floor yet.

[JohnKachenmeister]

It is a good thing this bill is dead in committee.  I don't think the DHS is real good to work for after I heard the news today that they are forbidding the Border Patrol agents from wearing surgical masks to protect themselves from Swine Flu.

Janet-From-Another-Planet Napolitano says that surgical masks will make the the agents look "Intimidating."

Funny, they don't make surgeons look intimidating.

[Cecil DP]

I thought that they were supposed to look intimidating. I guess Ms Napolitano doesn't care if the BP/ICE people get sick, as long as they're polite about it.

[ricks]

This is the only information I can locate on DHS and Janet's view of sugical masks. Please state your source.

Preparing the Department

The Department is taking many steps to ensure it continues to operate at full strength throughout the outbreak. As the leader of this Department, I know that if DHS is to protect the safety of our nation, we must ensure that we are doing all that we can to protect the safety of the DHS workforce. This effort has been a top priority for our leadership within the Department, especially working to keep safe our employees who are in the field with face-to-face public interaction everyday. To that end:

CBP has strategically positioned critical assets -including personal protection equipment (masks, sanitizers, etc.) and anti-viral drugs -in each of the nine Border Patrol sectors, in order to ensure that our agents at the border are protected against the virus to the maximum; similar actions have been taken by the U.S. Coast Guard in order to ensure our maritime borders continue to be guarded at full strength.

FEMA and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services are taking similar action to preposition critical supplies and protect their workforces and operations.

ICE is similarly prepared to meet the health and safety needs of its employees as well as those individuals in ICE custody. In preparing front-line employees that may be at risk, ICE has pre-positioned personal protective equipment for its law enforcement and mission-critical personnel not only at our borders and throughout the U.S.

Finally, the TSA is rapidly deploying personal protection equipment to 54 airports along the border and with flights from Mexico. The equipment includes masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer, in case those supplies are needed in a heightened state of precaution. DHS has been in contact with its employees about common-sense precautions they can take against 2009 H1N1 flu, in addition to information about the use of anti-viral drugs, should such a step become necessary.
Conclusion - Testimony of Janet Nepolitano at Senate Committee Meeting April 29, 2009

[JohnKachenmeister]

My source is a Fox News report that was picked up nationally after the story surfaced on local stations in the Southwest.

But what do I know?  I've been declared a "Threat to National Security" by Napolitano.

[ricks]

Can you point me in the direction of the Fox news report. Was it a written report that I can find on thier website?

[JayT]

My source is a Fox News report that was picked up nationally after the story surfaced on local stations in the Southwest.

But what do I know?  I've been declared a "Threat to National Security" by Napolitano.

Because when I think of reliable news, the network that has Glenn Beck as one of their lead guys is the first one to jump to mind.....

And what does a few comments in a DHS report briefly featured in the news week ago have to do with a bit of false reporting with no source?

[Flying Pig]

Right, because Keith Obermann and Matt Lower are top notch reporters on the other side of the house.

[Rotorhead]

My source is a Fox News report that was picked up nationally after the story surfaced on local stations in the Southwest.

But what do I know?  I've been declared a "Threat to National Security" by Napolitano.

You do realize that she apologized and that the VFW accepted the apology, right?

[Larry Mangum]

You do realize that she apologized and that the VFW accepted the apology, right?

Just because she apologized that does not mean that I have to accept her apology nor am I required to believe that she does not believe the report to be the truth. 

[Spike]

It is a good thing this bill is dead in committee. 

It's Dead?  Where can I read that it died in committee?  I need facts, not opinions or beliefs please. 

[Ricochet13]

About time it got outta committee! Now will it survive a floor vote in the House?

H.R.1178
Title: To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Dent, Charles W. [PA-15] (introduced 2/25/2009)   Cosponsors (28)
Related Bills: S.704
Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Discharged.
ALL ACTIONS:
2/25/2009:  Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2/25/2009:  Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
2/26/2009:  Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
2/26/2009:  Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
2/25/2009:  Referred to House Homeland Security
3/2/2009:  Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response.
4/2/2009:  Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
4/2/2009:  Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
4/2/2009:  Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged.
4/2/2009:  Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Discharged.

[Larry Mangum]

So what does it mean for a committee to discharge?  Does that mean they recommended no changes or refused to accept it for discussion?

[ricks]

A discharge means that the bill has been in their committee and is now being released back to the floor. It may be sent to another committee, but it is moving.

[wuzafuzz]

My source is a Fox News report that was picked up nationally after the story surfaced on local stations in the Southwest.

But what do I know?  I've been declared a "Threat to National Security" by Napolitano.

You do realize that she apologized and that the VFW accepted the apology, right?

VFW wasn't speaking for me...

The bill needs an amendment exempting CAP from the TSA badge silliness.  After all, we can't effectively support DHS if we are effectively banned from commercial airports.