Barack Obama on Homeland Security
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Taking Every Step to Protect America
Bolster Preparedness
Barack Obama believes that our precious homeland security dollars must be distributed according to
risk. Obama would focus homeland dollars on creating better emergency response plans, expanding
federal support of local first responders and financing vital technologies like interoperable
communications systems.
Improve Intelligence Capabilities
While some progress has been made since 9/11, we are still not good enough at “connecting the dots”
On counterterrorism insurance. Barack Obama will work to better integrate counterterrorism assets at
the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other
federal agencies. He also will make sure we share actionable intelligence with local first responders so that we all can work together to keep America safe.
Protect Critical Infrastructure
The federal government’s National Asset Database, which is supposed to guide homeland security
priorities, lists 77,069 potential U.S. targets including petting zoos and popcorn factories. Experts say this database is relatively useless for any level of homeland security planning. Obama will develop a meaningful national critical infrastructure protection plan so we can protect our ports, nuclear and chemical plants, transportation hubs and all other potential targets.
Protect Civil Liberties and Restore Habeas Corpus
Obama opposed the Bush Administration’s warrantless wiretaps. As president, Obama would update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to prevent future threats to our nation and to the rule of law.
Obama also supports a major revision of the PATRIOT Act to ensure that there is a real and robust
oversight of the tools that help protect our country. Obama also would restore habeas corpus so that
those who pose a danger are swiftly tried and brought to justice and those who do not have sufficient
due process to ensure that we are not wrongfully denying them their liberty.
