Reid, Ensign support homeland security agency

Benjamin Grove and Timothy Pratt

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002 | 9:54 a.m.

Nevada's senators were among the 90 who voted in favor of a new Department of Homeland Security Tuesday.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., alongside fellow Democrats, had battled provisions in the the bill that Democrats said infringed on federal workers' rights issues. Bush eventually got his wish to have hiring and firing powers but unions will have negotiating power in department rule changes.

In the end Reid said, "This bill is not perfect, but it is very good."

Reid said he intends to "keep a close eye" on the implementation of the bill.

Reid was pleased that the bill contained a provision that allows the Transportation Security Administration to extend a deadline for some airports for installing new baggage screening machines. McCarran International Airport officials have said they cannot meet the Dec. 31 deadline without seriously delaying passengers -- the tourist lifeblood of Las Vegas.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said the homeland bill will send a strong message to America's allies.

"It is very important ... to have Congress get behind the president and sends a very positive message as the president is travelling around the world," he said.

Ensign said the bill will "break down the walls of communication that exist between agencies such as the FBI and CIA to defeat terrorism."

The Associated Press

contributed to this article.