Mark Kennedy for US Senate

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Homeland Security

The primary responsibility of any government is to protect its citizens and provide security. On September 11, 2001, America’s eyes were opened to a new era, requiring a major overhaul of our defense and intelligence systems. Congress responded by creating The Department of Homeland Security, which I supported, to increase communication between government agencies and better protect America.

Homeland Security goes beyond the national scene to the local level. First responders, police, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians, are our first line of defense and their training and expertise saves lives every day and we need to make sure local communities, especially in rural areas, have the access and training necessary to protect and save lives in the event of an emergency.

That’s why I’ve lead Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation on the Minnesota Methamphetamine Hot Spots Initiative to help law enforcement officers protect our children from the rampant production and use of this drug. Hot Spots is a federal program dedicated to giving law enforcement agencies the tools to prevent the manufacture of drugs, respond to meth lab seizures, protect communities from meth use, and help treat those who are addicted.

I’ve also worked to protect our borders by proposing a recently passed amendment to increase funding for security along our Northern border while ensuring law abiding citizens who want to hunt or fish in Canada are not required to carry their passports. I also supported the creation of the REAL ID act which will prevent those illegally in the U.S., such as the 9-11 hijackers, from getting a government issued drivers license.

I remain committed to making our communities a safe place for our children to walk to school without fear. In the U.S. Senate, I will continue to support legislation like the Child Abduction Protection Act that includes the AMBER alert. I will also continue to work to provide local law enforcement, those who put their lives on the line each day for our safety, with the equipment and resources necessary to protect our communities.

But we still have more to do. We must never become complacent in our efforts to protect ourselves and our neighbors against new threats we might face, such as chemical or biological attacks. I will continue to work on behalf of Minnesotans to ensure we remain forward-thinking and prepared in the case of any emergency.

The safety and security of Minnesotans remains my top priority.