CANDICE MILLER AND PETER HOEKSTRA

Detroit News

How does an individual like Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab get on a plane with an explosive device with the intent to cause catastrophic harm? Clearly, the security measures we put in place did not work. The key question now is what lessons the Obama administration will draw from this incident to improve security procedures.

There are a lot of questions to be asked and answered. One thing is clear: we got lucky in this case. Although European officials reportedly provided advanced passenger data before the flight left Amsterdam; U.S. officials did not take the appropriate action. If it had not been for the bravery of the passengers and a device that malfunctioned we would be talking about many dead. This was a spectacular failure of our air travel security system and that needs to be rectified immediately.

Congress must assert its constitutionally provided powers and the administration must work cooperatively with Congress to boost our nation's programs to counter the terrorist threat. National security should not be a partisan issue, but it will continue to be if the executive branch continues to ignore our common interests in security. We stand ready to work with President Obama, but we will criticize him where we differ on policy if we must.

The Christmas Day terrorist attack is a wake-up call that we are still at war with radical Jihadist groups like al Qaeda that are conducting an unconventional war against our nation. For this reason it is essential that Abdulmutallab be treated as an enemy combatant.

The Obama Administration's record to date in cooperating with Congress and keeping it fully and currently informed about national security threats has been abysmal. The administration has stonewalled Congress about the Fort Hood shooting and the D.C. Five, the Washington area men arrested in Pakistan who allegedly were seeking terrorist training from al Qaeda. Obama officials won't brief Congress or local officials on the threat posed by al Qaeda inmates it proposes to transfer from Guantanamo Bay to Illinois. This lack of transparency is undermining the trust and confidence the American people put in President Obama's national security leadership.

The first and foremost responsibility of elected officials is to defend the American people. As members of the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, we want to work with the Obama Administration to review why Abdulmutallab was not placed on the "no-fly" list; why his name was not flagged and subjected to secondary screening before he was able to board the plane; and what we need to do to ensure tighter security measures are in place and followed, especially from flights that originate from outside the U.S. Not only can we not count on being lucky again, we must assume al Qaeda will learn from this incident in planning another deadly terrorist attack.

As members of Congress and fellow citizens of this nation, we are dedicated to working with this Administration in a bipartisan manner to make certain there are no more communication failures between U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies and work hand-in-hand with other nations to ensure that their security standards meet, or exceed, U.S. security requirements for screening airline passengers.

This leads us to our final point -- the Obama Administration must completely rethink its position on the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. There are several reports that former Guantanamo inmates who went through Saudi "re-education" programs are heading an al Qaeda organization in Yemen that instructed Abdulmutallab on how to carry out the Christmas Day terrorist attack and provide him with the PETN explosive he attempted to detonate. If true, this is yet another compelling reason to stop the rush to close Guantanamo and release its dangerous terrorist suspects or move them to the United States.

Congressional Republicans stand ready to work with President Obama to get to the bottom of the Christmas Day terrorist attack. We ask Mr. Obama to be forthcoming with us on this and other crucial national security matters so we can work with him to protect the security of the American people.

U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, Harrison Township, is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security. U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, Holland, is a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Harrison Township, MI - U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, today announced she will be introducing legislation to clarify federal law giving the President the authority to treat all terrorists as enemy combatants. This legislation will give the United States the essential tools we need to deal with terrorists who commit acts within our borders.

“Since the Christmas Day terrorist attack, I have been calling on the President and his Administration to treat Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab as an enemy combatant,” Miller said. “Abdulmutallab actions were a terrorist act and not a criminal act. He committed an act of war. Instead of being treated as a common criminal, this individual should have been given over to the military so they could have interrogated him with the most aggressive interrogation methods this Administration would condone. As well they could have gathered as much information as possible and tried this individual in a military tribunal. Valuable time and information has been lost.”

“I believe the President has the authority to treat terrorists as enemy combatants and hand them over to the military. This legislation will clarify without a doubt that authority and will give our country the essential tools we need to deal with terrorists who commit acts within our borders,” said Miller. “Terrorist caught on U.S. soil should be designated as an enemy combatant, regardless of citizenship. I believe Congress needs to make sure President Obama and future presidents’ authority is clear and direct when authorizing the detention of these individuals.”

The President has the direct authority to detain enemy combatants captured on the battlefield as part of the necessary force authorized by Congress after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. However, some have raised questions as to the authority of the President to detain terrorists captured in the United States as enemy combatants. The goal of this legislation is to clarify the President’s authority to detain terrorist captured in the U.S. as enemy combatants, so they can be tried before a military tribunal.

“We cannot use a 20th Century military framework to fight a 21st Century enemy that views the battle field asymmetrically. America must be one step ahead of terrorist that use airplanes and other non-conventional methods for terror attacks. For example, if the military captures a terrorist in Afghanistan, they do not send them back to the U.S. and afford them an attorney,” Miller said. “This recent attempted terrorist attack, this act of war against the United States, is further proof that terrorists are continuing their fight against our nation.

Miller also added, “It is my sincere hope that this incident will convince the President not to pursue his dangerous plan to close Guantanamo Bay and move the detainees to the U.S. On December 20th, six Yemeni detainees were transferred from GITMO back to Yemen for repatriation. Returning these individuals to Yemen represents a needless risk to the American people. This conflict is global in nature – we need to ensure that individuals who wish to cause harm and destruction within the U.S. are caught and held as enemy combatants, so they can be tried in a proper military commission.”

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Harrison Township, MI - U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, today released the following statement concerning the December 25th attempted terrorist act aboard an international flight landing in Detroit, MI. The Committee is charged with oversight over the Department of Homeland Security, and will hold a hearing in January 2010 to review this attempted terrorism act and what modified security measures need to be put in place to prevent incidents such as what happened aboard this flight.

Representative Miller said:

“As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security I look forward to the hearing on this terrorist attack as soon as the Congress reconvenes in early January. We obviously need a much more comprehensive security plan to continue to improve our nation’s security measures. The 9-11 Commission told us that we needed to move away from the ‘need to know information’ to ‘the need to share information’ among all effected agencies, and this attack provides further proof that we need to improve on this critical aspect for protecting American citizens from future terrorist attacks.

“Additionally, I call for this cowardly terrorist to be turned over to the military for immediate interrogation to the fullest extent that this Administration will condone. We need to get whatever information from him as soon as possible. The fact that he is being treated like a common criminal, given a taxpayer-funded attorney, taken to the University of Michigan Burn Center where his attorney is suggesting he may need expensive skin grafts for his self inflicted burns is crazy.
He is not a criminal; he is an enemy combatant at war with the United States of America.

“Lastly, I hope this terrorist attack will help stop President Obama’s dangerous plan to close Guantanamo Bay and move the detainees to the United States.”

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Harrison Township, MI - U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today commended Michigan’s Attorney General, Mike Cox, for his request to the U.S. Supreme Court to order the closing of Chicago-area locks and waterways in order to prevent the Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes.

Representative Miller said:

“An immediate closing of the Chicago-area locks and waterways are necessary for the health of our Great Lakes. I commend Michigan’s Attorney General for his request from the U.S. Supreme Court and I hope we receive a fast response. There is nothing more pressing than stopping this aggressive invasive species from entering Lake Michigan and threatening our lake’s environment and all the states’ economies in the Great Lakes Basin, especially Michigan, the Great Lakes state.”

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Democrat Majority in the House of Representatives Votes for Increase of National Debt Limit, Use Repaid TARP Funds for Additional Spending

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today made the following comments in response to the Democrat Majority passage of the Debt Limit Increase bill, a measure to increase the national deficit limit by $290 billion for a total of $12.394 trillion in debt. In addition, the House passed the $154 billion Stimulus 2.0 bill, a measure to direct billions of dollars, plus $75 billion in returned Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) program funds, for additional federal spending.

Representative Miller said:

“Washington Democrats again proved they cannot control their spending and they have no desire to reduce our massive debt. Members of Congress had only about 24-hours to review legislation that would increase our federal debt to over $12 trillion and add another $150 billion in deficit spending.

“The $154 billion Stimulus 2.0 is a continuation of the majority’s policy to borrow and spend, and by using returned TARP funds to pay for this new spending they have broken a promise made to the American people that those funds would be used to pay down the debt. I voted against the TARP program because I believed at the time that the promise to reign in spending would not be kept, and with today’s actions that promise has indeed been broken.

“What our country needs is targeted solutions that will create jobs, such as reducing government over-regulation, increased infrastructure investment and real tax relief efforts aimed at our working families and small business job creators paid for by redirecting unspent funds from the failed stimulus package passed earlier this year.

“The present every American wants this holiday season is a growing economy and new jobs. Unfortunately, all they are getting in their stockings from Democrats in Washington is broken promises, more debt and bigger government.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, today praised the launch of a federal-state cybersecurity partnership. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Governor of Michigan announced the launch of a federally developed cybersecurity technologies program, know as EINSTEIN 1, in the state of Michigan. This program will allow DHS and Michigan to identify and eliminate malicious cyber threats to state government networks.

“Protecting our nation’s borders on all levels is of the upmost importance. This federal-state partnership program will assist Michigan with identifying possible cybersecurity threats and then share that information with DHS to protect our infrastructure,” said Rep. Miller. “We must constantly work towards enhancing our ability to detect threats to our critical infrastructure, especially when it comes to our network and communication systems. I commend DHS for selecting Michigan to partake in this pilot federal-state partnership program.”

EINSTEIN 1 technology automates the collection and analysis of computer network security information from participating agency and government networks to help analysts identify and combat malicious cyber activity that may threaten government network systems, data protection and communications infrastructure. As part of the partnership with Michigan, DHS’ U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team will identify possible abnormal activities on Michigan’s networks and address threats to critical cyber infrastructure.

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Michigan Members Call for Action to Protect Great Lakes; Get Additional Funds to Prevent an Invasion

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today joined with her Michigan Congressional delegation colleagues in praising the swift action being taken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to prevent the Asian carp from entering the Great Lake through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The Corps will get an additional $13 million to fend off the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. Members of the Michigan Congressional delegation hope this is just the first round of funding to thwart a crisis the carp would certainly cause in the Great Lakes.

“Preventing the Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes and making sure the Army Corps of Engineers and other relevant agencies have all the funding they need to carry out their efforts have been an absolute priority for the Michigan delegation,” Rep. Miller said. “These redirected funds are vital for the barrier reconstruction, testing they need to track and prevent the Asian carp from further spread, as well as use the funds for closing the lock if there is no other option. There is nothing more important to our quality of life and our economic survival than protecting our Great Lakes.”

The Asian carp were imported from Asia to the Deep South to cleanse fish ponds and sewage lagoons, but escaped into the Mississippi and have been working their way north since the 1970s. Due to their aggressive appetites, Asian Carp have the potential to dominate ecosystems and alter the food chain. The U.S Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with other governmental entities, has been engaged in efforts to contain Asian carp in the Mississippi River system.

This $13 million will be a combination of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding and reprogrammed Corps funds. The money will be used by the Corps and other agencies to keep the carp out of the Great Lakes. Recently, the carp have been found south of the preventative barrier, just 25 miles from Great Lakes access points and eDNA sampling has found genetic material a mere 8 miles from Lake Michigan. It is estimated it will take $30 million in FY-2010 to prevent the carp from invading and devastating the Great Lakes. This action comes after Members of the Michigan Congressional delegation wrote a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Committees on Appropriations and Transportation and Infrastructure asking for emergency funding.

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REP. CANDICE MILLER
The Detroit News

Far too many of our family, friends and neighbors have lost their jobs as the auto companies have gone through painful restructuring and manufacturing jobs have been outsourced to lower-wage nations. There is no more pressing issue facing America than getting our economy moving again so jobs can be created.

That is why the endangerment finding last week by the Obama administration's Environmental Protection Agency administrator that could trigger regulation of greenhouse gas emissions is so troubling. The announcement coincided with President Barack Obama's trip to the U.N. climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, in a seeming sop to the international community to show movement on this issue in the United States.

In June, the House of Representatives passed a cap-and-trade carbon bill with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a response to global climate change. The Senate has yet to take up that legislation.

If the House bill were passed, the National Association of Manufacturers projects 2.4 million net jobs would be lost. The federal government's Energy Information Administration projects 2.3 million net jobs would be lost.

No wonder a job-killing plan like cap-and-trade has stalled in Congress.

The EPA move apparently is designed to force congressional action. Sen. Dick Durbin, the second ranking Democrat in the Senate, chillingly said in response to the EPA announcement, "If we don't come up with a reasonable way to reduce CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions working with business and labor and interest groups, then we may face decisions by the EPA which are very tough on a lot of people."

In other words: Either enact legislation that we know will destroy millions of jobs or the EPA will destroy even more.

These choices are unacceptable and unfathomable given recent revelations that raise real questions about the science that has been relied upon to prop up the threat of man-caused global warming. Questions were raised when e-mails from scientists at the British Climate Research Unit at East Anglia University were released on the Internet.

One e-mail says, "I've just completed Mike's trick of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years and for 1961 for Keith's to hide the decline."

There is little doubt that the world's climate is changing, because the climate has always changed. Just ask the dinosaurs or remember the ice age and how huge glaciers melting and moving formed our Great Lakes.

The question is whether the current climate change is human-induced and whether we are willing to put millions of American jobs at risk when we are experiencing double-digit unemployment.

There are enough questions about the potentially flawed science on which these decisions are being based to suggest we should be very hesitant before leaping off the cliff. The inconvenient truth is whatever action we take, cap and trade or EPA regulation, will cost millions of jobs.

U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, represents Michigan's 10th Congressional District.

Harrison Township, MI – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today attended the opening of the Bridgeview Bridge in Macomb County. The new 349-foot span bridge features a crossing that includes a separate pedestrian and bicycle path, which Rep. Miller secured $486,000 in funding to construct.

“For almost a year we’ve all been watching this beautiful bridge be constructed – so we’re delighted to celebrate it’s opening,” Rep. Miller said. “The Bridgeview Bridge is a critical transportation artery in the area and this new bridge will serve us well for many years to come.

“With the new construction of this bridge, we have included a 10-foot wide pedestrian hike and bike path which the original bridge did not have. This path will allow safe access across the Clinton River for pedestrians and bicyclists alike,” said Rep. Miller. “Hike and bike paths are critical components for creating a high quality of life. I am a proud supporter of these paths and the value that they bring to our community.”

The Bridgeview Bridge was originally built in 1928, had weight restrictions for the past couple of years and was limited to only one lane of traffic at a time. The bridge was officially closed last February and construction began immediately to upgrade the deteriorating bridge.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today made the following comments in response to the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009, the defeat of a House Republican effort to terminate the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) program and to reiterate current law that dollars repaid into the TARP fund be used to pay down the national debt. Recently, President Obama outlined his Administration’s plan to use TARP funds for additional federal spending that would add even more to our deficit.

Representative Miller said:

“Congress and the American people were told that the TARP funds used to bailout Wall Street were necessary to secure the nation’s financial industry and would only be used for that purpose. They were also promised that those funds would be loaned to financial institutions, and when those loans were repaid, the money would be returned to the Treasury to reduce our deficit. Now, the Administration and Democrat leaders in Congress are beginning to talk about spending the remaining and returned TARP funds on items unrelated to strengthening our financial system.

“The American people simply do not support continuing the government bailout of private businesses. They are demanding that action be taken to reduce the massive federal budget deficit. Today, Congress had an opportunity to take action on both of those priorities, but the majority decided to continue the bailouts.

“I voted against the Wall Street bailout because of the great concern I had for the massive amounts of debt that would be placed on future generations. Our nation incurred a $1.4 trillion deficit in 2009, and we are looking at a similar deficit accumulating next year. Struggling American families continue to tighten their belts in this difficult economy, while Washington has continued with out of control spending. I will continue to work in Congress to return to the fiscal responsibility being demanded by the American people; it is unfortunate that a majority of my colleagues did not join in that effort today.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today with the Michigan Congressional Delegation held a meeting with Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne to discuss the ongoing restructuring of the company and the future of the Sterling Heights Assembly plant (SHAP). After the meeting, Representative Candice Miller released the following statement:

“I am glad that the Michigan delegation today had an opportunity to discuss the future of Chrysler with CEO Sergio Marchionne. Our entire delegation is united in our effort to assist Chrysler to ensure that this iconic American company comes through the painful restructuring stronger than ever.

“Of great importance to me is the future of the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in my district which had been slated for closure during bankruptcy proceedings. Due to the fact that SHAP produces the Chrysler Sebring, which is one of the most fuel efficient vehicles in Chrysler’s lineup, and SHAP is one of the most productive plants in the company, I asked Mr. Marchionne about both the future of SHAP and the Sebring.

“Mr. Marchionne indicated that the Sebring would be a big part of Chrysler’s return to profitability and will require the operation of SHAP into 2011. He also indicated at that point Chrysler will evaluate where future products would be produced, but that he expected future versions of the Sebring would be built in the United States.

“My colleagues and I committed to Chrysler that we would work with them to make the best case possible that future versions of the Sebring should be built in Sterling Heights as this decision making process goes forward.

“The employees at the SHAP clearly are among some of the best in the company and have proven that they can build the highest quality vehicles in an incredibly efficient manner. I look forward to working with them as we work to convince Chrysler management to keep this work in Sterling Heights.”

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Rep. Miller tours one of the largest jobs employer in Port Huron

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today toured AT&T’s Customer Retention Center (CRC) in Port Huron. Rep. Miller met with a group of employees and discussed the current job economy, as well as issues Rep. Miller is working on in Washington. The center in Port Huron currently employs about 330 employees who assist residential customers throughout the five Great Lakes states with AT&T landline voice, high-speed Internet and U-verse television services. In Congress, Rep. Miller is actively working in Congress on ways to protect and expand jobs in America. Rep. Miller co-chairs the Jobs Now Caucus whose mission is to work aggressively on common sense solutions for job creation that will not require any tax increases or adding to the federal deficit. Currently, 129 House members have signed on to participate in the Caucus.

“Port Huron’s AT&T’s center is one of the largest employers in the area, and I congratulate them on staying in the United States when so many call centers are going offshore in this troubled economy,” said Rep. Miller. “I was honored to meet the employees working at this center and discuss with them their concerns about the current job economy. With 15 million unemployed Americans looking for work, I have joined with my colleagues from both parties to seek common sense solutions that would actually create jobs. By focusing our priorities in Congress on protecting and expanding jobs, we can do better to put real solutions into action.

“I will not support legislation that increases our deficit and pushes more debt on our children, grandchildren and future generations. I will not support legislation that raises taxes on hard pressed families or job providers. However, there is much that can be done by reducing government over-regulation that chokes off job creation. We can also look to re-direct unspent funds from the stimulus package passed earlier this year that simply has not worked to create jobs to more productive purposes.

“I will take the concerns I’ve heard today back to Washington, and I will continue working in a bi-partisan way with my colleagues in Congress to help protect and expand jobs.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today commended the temporary deployment of a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, the Penobscot Bay, to assist with seasonal ice breaking operations on the Great Lakes. The Penobscot Bay’s 19-member crew from Bayonne, New Jersey will begin their operations on Dec. 7th.

“This is great news for Michigan, and in this tough economy this ice breaking capability means jobs to Michigan through all of the billions of dollars in commerce operating within our lakes,” Rep. Miller said. “The Penobscot Bay’s arrival is very timely, as we all know Michigan needs strong ice breaking capabilities on our lakes for a good portion of the winter. I thank the Coast Guard for addressing the Great Lakes’ need by deploying this vessel as quickly as possible. I will continue to work in Congress to see that more attention is paid to increase ice breaking capabilities for the Great Lakes.”

Rep. Miller has been a longtime advocate for protecting the Great Lakes and Great Lakes commerce. Recently, Rep. Miller supported the passage of H.R. 1747, the Great Lakes Icebreaker Replacement Act, a measure that approves funding for new icebreaker vessels on the Great Lakes. In addition, Rep. Miller supported $475 million in funding in the FY 2010 Interior Appropriations bill designated to protecting the Great Lakes through a federal – state – local partnership. The bill also included a provision which would exempt 13 Great Lakes cargo ships from stringent EPA regulations that would have forced them to stop operating and would have crippled Great Lakes shipping.

“Placing burdensome EPA regulations on Great Lakes shippers could have brought a vital part of Michigan’s economy to a halt,” said Rep. Miller.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, today questioned the Director of the United States Secret Service, Mark Sullivan, regarding the couple accused of circumventing the Secret Service security checks during the President’s State Dinner on Tuesday, November 24th

“I think it was very unfortunate that the White House stonewalled members of Congress in the Homeland Security Committee,” said Rep. Miller. “The White House said they couldn’t have their Social Secretary come and testify to us because there is a separation of powers. Well, this is an Administration issue and I think that it is very unfortunate that the White House did not send the Social Secretary. I do think that there is a shared responsibility with what happened at the recent dinner – both with the Secret Service, as well as with the White House with their Social Secretary. It is unfortunate that the White House is apparently throwing the Secret Service under the bus in this case and we are now going to consider a subpoena to get the White House to testify.”

The United States Secret Service has the ultimate responsibility for the security of the President, but that responsibility is shared with members of the White House staff who are responsible for issuing invitations for events and establishing the guest lists for events. The committee will continue to work with the Secret Service to make certain that appropriate procedures are in place to so that events like this do not occur again. On a different issue, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in 2007 reprimanded the Bush administration who would not allow White House staff to testify. At that time, the Speaker stated: “The White House, no matter who is in it, cannot violate the Constitution by not being accountable to the Congress.” Rep. Miller hopes that the Speaker can use her influence with this White House to ensure that the committee hears from those on the staff and assist the committee with its appropriate role in providing vigorous oversight.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today made the following comments regarding the President’s Afghanistan strategy announcement.

Representative Miller said:

“Today President Obama announced he will be ordering 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan to seize the initiative from the Taliban and Al-Qaeda and I completely support these goals. I look forward to hearing additional details of the President’s plan when Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testify before Congressional Committees this week and from General McChrystal when he testifies next week.

“It is my sincere hope that the strategy the President has put forward will lead to success, but it is the responsibility of Congress to provide the vigorous oversight necessary to ensure that the plan he has put forward will lead to the success we all want. The mission of the troops that we put in harms way must be clear and achievable and we must have the support of our NATO allies. And the Administration must be committed to seeing this effort through. The President’s proposal of drawdown begs the questions, ‘Does he have the political will and resolve to do what it takes to win, and will he reassess as the war progresses as necessary? Will he allow his commanders the flexibility they will need to achieve the mission?’

“I look forward to hearing more about this plan in the coming days.”

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