An Agenda for Homeland Security

Senator John Edwards (D-N.C.) delivered a speech about homeland security at the Brookings Institution Wednesday, outlining a broad agenda to improve domestic intelligence gathering, protect U.S. borders, secure potential terrorist targets, and bolster emergency responses to attack.

Edwards, considered a contender for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, discussed what he regards as weaknesses in the Bush administration’s approach to homeland security. He also elaborated on a proposal he first made October 7 to move responsibility for domestic intelligence from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to a new domestic intelligence agency designed to infiltrate and eliminate terrorist threats while better protecting civil liberties.

Senator Edwards earlier this year delivered addresses on the economy, education, foreign policy, and criminal justice.