We Must Act Now to Protect America

With the 9/11 Commission's final recommendations now public, Americans have a chance to see where their leaders really stand on protecting the nation. Regardless of whether you agree with every reform or policy change outlined in the report, the time for action is long overdue. Americans, and particularly the victims and families of the 9/11 attacks, deserve to know that their government is taking concrete steps to protect them and help prevent another attack on our country.

• Congress must act as soon as possible to implement necessary security reforms outlined by the Commission. Conservative congressional leaders have a choice: go on a six-week vacation or use this critical opportunity to implement necessary security reforms. The public will call to account congressional leaders and members who try to put off any changes until after the November elections. The leadership should put the panel's recommendations before Congress; debate the merits of the changes; and vote on the reforms as soon as possible.
• "We are not safe." This chilling conclusion from the Commission should come as no surprise given the Bush administration's choices since that fateful day. The White House's war in Iraq – which has taken too many lives and drained nearly $150 billion American tax dollars – has overshadowed our successful effort to topple the Taliban and disrupt al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Now, al Qaeda is regrouping, new terrorist threats are emerging in Iraq, and holes in homeland security – particularly ports, industrial plants, and borders – remain unplugged. We are not safe because the administration has made the wrong choices on terrorism.
• Instead of protecting political turf, the Bush administration needs to act now to protect the American people. The nation came together after 9/11 and now it must come together again. Unfortunately, the Bush administration and its right-wing allies rejected key recommendations of the 9/11 Commission before the ink on the report had dried. Americans deserve better – a serious debate over the Commission's recommendations and bipartisan support for needed changes.

Daily Talking Points is a product of the Center for American Progress, a non-partisan research and educational institute committed to progressive principles for a strong, just and free America.