Hopefully, this implies that the Senate will have even less time to focus on internet gambling than Frist had thought going into the break.
http://www.ajc.com/thursday/content/epaper/editions/thursday/news_44de5436a2ed20ab003c.html
Senate focus will be security, Frist says
[SIZE=-2]Tom Baxter - Staff[/SIZE]
[FONT=geneva,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][SIZE=-2]Thursday, August 24, 2006[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,geneva,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]In a signal that Republicans are returning to security issues as this fall's elections near, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said Wednesday that the Senate, currently in recess, will focus on homeland security measures when it resumes work in September. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,geneva,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Frist said recent reports of terrorist activity, including a plot he said involved 11 American cities "that could have been a reality, with a loss of life greater than 9/11," were a "wake-up call" for a more concentrated focus on domestic anti-terrorist measures.
Frist, in a meeting with editors and reporters at the Journal-Constitution, said he was informed of the threat a couple of weeks ago by government sources. He did not provide details about the threat --- apparently separate from recent allegations of a plot to bomb planes en route to the United States from England --- and declined to name the cities, but said all "are where tourists would be coming and that are popular cities."
His plan to have the Senate focus on security comes as President Bush also is emphasizing the issue.
"We're talking about making sure we have the tools we need to protect ourselves and you'll see that elevated in September when I come back," Frist said.
Specifically, he said he wants the Senate to take action to address the recent federal court decision rejecting a National Security Agency surveillance program as unconstitutional. Restoring the surveillance program is also a Bush administration priority.
The Republican leader said the Senate also will take up the security of the nation's ports --- "the one issue out there which has to be addressed" --- but didn't detail what action he wants the Senate to take.
Frist expressed doubt that Congress, in its few working weeks remaining before it recesses to prepare for the November elections, will reach agreement on that thorny issue of immigration. He acknowledged he may have brought up the immigration bill this year "too close to the election" to avoid having it become a political issue.
Frist, who is leaving the Senate when his term expires in January, is widely expected to seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2008. Asked Wednesday if he is likely to run, he replied, "I think so, because of the issues we've talked about here."
[/SIZE][/FONT]
http://www.ajc.com/thursday/content/epaper/editions/thursday/news_44de5436a2ed20ab003c.html
Senate focus will be security, Frist says
[SIZE=-2]Tom Baxter - Staff[/SIZE]
[FONT=geneva,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][SIZE=-2]Thursday, August 24, 2006[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,geneva,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]In a signal that Republicans are returning to security issues as this fall's elections near, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said Wednesday that the Senate, currently in recess, will focus on homeland security measures when it resumes work in September. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,geneva,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Frist said recent reports of terrorist activity, including a plot he said involved 11 American cities "that could have been a reality, with a loss of life greater than 9/11," were a "wake-up call" for a more concentrated focus on domestic anti-terrorist measures.
Frist, in a meeting with editors and reporters at the Journal-Constitution, said he was informed of the threat a couple of weeks ago by government sources. He did not provide details about the threat --- apparently separate from recent allegations of a plot to bomb planes en route to the United States from England --- and declined to name the cities, but said all "are where tourists would be coming and that are popular cities."
His plan to have the Senate focus on security comes as President Bush also is emphasizing the issue.
"We're talking about making sure we have the tools we need to protect ourselves and you'll see that elevated in September when I come back," Frist said.
Specifically, he said he wants the Senate to take action to address the recent federal court decision rejecting a National Security Agency surveillance program as unconstitutional. Restoring the surveillance program is also a Bush administration priority.
The Republican leader said the Senate also will take up the security of the nation's ports --- "the one issue out there which has to be addressed" --- but didn't detail what action he wants the Senate to take.
Frist expressed doubt that Congress, in its few working weeks remaining before it recesses to prepare for the November elections, will reach agreement on that thorny issue of immigration. He acknowledged he may have brought up the immigration bill this year "too close to the election" to avoid having it become a political issue.
Frist, who is leaving the Senate when his term expires in January, is widely expected to seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2008. Asked Wednesday if he is likely to run, he replied, "I think so, because of the issues we've talked about here."
[/SIZE][/FONT]
arty: 
