A reminder of our vulnerability
THE RECENT failed terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom are the latest grim reminder that radical Islamist terrorists are as determined as ever to attack the West. Yet, nearly six years after the attacks of 9/11, the sense of resolve Congress once felt about national security on the home front seems to have faltered. Case in point: Legislation to strengthen American security against terrorism -- approved by bipartisan majorities in the US House and Senate -- has taken far too long to pass.
The Improving America's Security Act of 2007 was drafted to implement the unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and is a significant step on the long road to making all Americans safe from terrorism. We have been conducting bipartisan negotiations now for two months to reconcile the House and Senate bills, and we have made great progress. But, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the UK, we appeal to our colleagues on the conference committee to work across party lines and committee jurisdictional boundaries to resolve our remaining differences as soon as possible so we can better protect our homeland.
The 9/11 bill offers a number of fixes which will deter terrorists from crossing our borders, assist first responders in preventing attacks, help them operate more effectively if an attack does occur, and improve security on all forms of transportation. We must not let this opportunity to protect our country pass us by.
With homegrown terrorism a growing danger in Western Europe, we need to strengthen the visa waiver program, which allows citizens of many countries to visit the United States without a visa. The 9/11 bill requires an electronic check against terrorist watch lists of potential visitors from visa waiver countries before they are permitted to travel. It would also require rapid reporting of lost or stolen passports, and information sharing on prospective visitors who may pose a threat to the United States.
The legislation would strengthen homeland security intelligence sharing and coordination by promoting state, local, and regional fusion centers, assigning Department of Homeland Security intelligence analysts to the centers, and establishing intelligence training for state, local, and tribal officials. The bill also strengthens a program we created in 2004 to facilitate sharing of terrorism information among federal agencies.
Another important provision for inclusion in the final bill would encourage the general public to report suspicious activity. Ever since Sept. 11, US authorities have asked the public to be vigilant, urging, "If you see something, say something." Remember, it was an alert store clerk who tipped law enforcement off to the plot to attack Fort Dix, N.J., after viewing a suspicious video dropped off by one of the conspirators. Citizen assistance of that sort should be encouraged, which is why we are trying to make it more difficult to sue those who, in good faith, report their suspicions to authorities.
Finally, the 9/11 bill we are conferencing calls for substantial new funding to combat the terrorist threat, including increases to support training, planning, and new equipment for first responders, to establish a dedicated grants program specifically for interoperable emergency communications, and to secure the non-aviation transportation infrastructure -- trains and buses , in particular -- which have received far too little attention since 9/11. We also take special pains to ensure that grants designed to protect against terrorism are determined primarily on the basis of risk.
Now is not the time to let down our guard against terrorists. The UK car bomb incidents should prompt Congress to work together to pass this bill swiftly and the president to sign it without hesitation. The American people need the added security protections contained in this bill.
Senator Joe Lieberman is a Connecticut independent. Senator Susan Collins is a Maine Republican. 
