Bill Sets Security Priorities

The Homeland Security Department would be forced to scale back its color-coded alert system for nationwide terrorism threats and tailor public warnings to specific, targeted locations under a House bill approved Wednesday.

Changes in the threat system were part of a wide-ranging $34-billion bill, approved by a 424-4 vote, that would set Homeland Security priorities for next year. The bill would require the hiring of 2,000 Border Patrol agents -- far above the 210 requested by President Bush -- and bolster efforts to remove illegal immigrants from the U.S.

Additionally, the bill directs Homeland Security to give more intelligence about nuclear and biological weapons to state, local and private-sector officials.

It provides $11 million to help research companies deploy anti-terrorism technology more quickly without fear of product liability lawsuits.

“We’ve had to make hard choices and we’ve had to set priorities,” said Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

The White House issued a statement of tepid support for the legislation, saying it has serious concerns that parts of the bill could “hinder the department’s ability to implement its various missions.”

The Senate is working on its version of a Homeland Security bill, but a Republican spokeswoman could not say when it might be finished.

The color-coded system, introduced in March 2002, has been widely criticized for being too vague to help the public understand what kind of threat it faces.

Under the House legislation, Homeland Security would have to give specific information about an attack’s target and how to respond to the threat.

The bill would also make the color system optional.