U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator, California
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Issue Statements - Key Issues

Homeland Security


In these uncertain times, the United States deserves a vigorous and accountable homeland security policy. But equally important is the need to guarantee that our efforts to combat terrorism remain consistent with our values and our commitment to an open and free society.

As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism and Homeland Security, I have long been involved in the homeland security debate. And I am committed to continuing to work hard to ensure that our finite homeland security funding dollars are allocated where the need is greatest.


Priorities

  • Securing our nation’s borders
  • Enhancing security measures of the Visa Waiver Program
  • Ensuring transparency in homeland security funding
  • Strengthening Congressional oversight of the Intelligence Community
  • Improving federal disaster planning
  • Protecting California's public infrastructure

Accomplishments

  • Criminalizing Border Tunnels:  Criminalized the act of constructing or financing a tunnel or subterranean passage across an international border into the United States. Previously, there was no law on the books making it illegal to build, use, or finance such tunnels.
  • Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America’s Seaports Act:  Increased security at our nation’s ports by enhancing criminal penalties for smuggling terrorists or dangerous materials.
  • Border Security and Visa Entry Reform:  Helped prevent terrorists from entering the United States by closing loopholes in our immigration system.
  • Enhanced Intelligence Community & FBI Cooperation:  Advocated the “significant purpose” language in the USA Patriot Act that began to break down the wall between intelligence and law enforcement investigations that, in part, prevented the government from stopping the 9/11 attack.
  • Intelligence Community Leadership Act: The first sponsor of legislation to create the position of Director of National Intelligence to oversee the nation's intelligence community, set priorities and give direction to the 16 intelligence agencies.
  • Created Terrorist Watchlist Capability:  Required a terrorist watch-listing capability and the creation of the National Virtual Translation Center.
  • Terrorism victims:  Improved the ability of the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime to provide immediate and effective assistance to victims of terrorism abroad.



Press Releases*

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Feinstein in the News*

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Op-Eds*

February 2008



July 2007


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