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The Honorable Jane Harman Presentation

Congresswoman Jane Harman, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, opened the retreat with remarks about the importance of bipartisanship in meeting major national security challenges. She offered several areas where cooperation across the political aisle will be key to addressing serious national security risks. First, she pointed to the progress Congress had made in passing many key recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, but also noted one major area that Congress has neglected—reforming itself. According to Harman, 86 different committees and subcommittees retain jurisdiction over terrorism and national security issues. Next, she stated that effective strategies are needed to protect those places in America that are at greatest risk, saying that while the Department of Homeland Security is making progress, it needs sustained bipartisan interest and support moving forward. Then, she discussed several major challenges that the next U.S. President will face, including reconfiguring the military to face current threats, and undoing the damage done to our constitutional and legal structures by policies that permitted torture and violations of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Harman also cited Joseph Nye’s concept of “smart power” as a useful guide for reforming and complimenting our foreign policy structure, in particular using our capacity to persuade others, and without resorting to force, as a potent tool in the war on terror.