U.S. Senate passes homeland security bill

IDG News Service - The U.S. Senate passed a bill late yesterday that will create the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Homeland Security Act of 2002, a reaction to the terrorist attacks of September 2001, will result in a major government reorganization and the creation of a cabinet-level department dedicated to protection of the U.S. It passed the Senate by 90-9, with one senator not voting.
"This landmark legislation, the most extensive reorganization of the federal government since the 1940s, will help our nation meet the emerging threats of terrorism in the 21st century," said President George W. Bush in a statement issued from Prague, where he is currently attending NATO meetings.
"This bill includes the major components of my proposal -- providing for intelligence analysis and infrastructure protection, strengthening our borders, improving the use of science and technology to counter weapons of mass destruction, and creating a comprehensive response and recovery division," Bush said.
Part of the bill addresses the issue of unauthorized access of computer networks and sets penalties of up to life in prison for electronic hackers who are found guilty of causing death to others through their actions (see story).
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the homeland security bill last week. The House and Senate versions have minor variations. These are expected to be ironed out by congressional leaders during the next few weeks, after which the bill will go to the president for his signature.