Americans Feel Less Safe

AMERICANS FEEL LESS SAFE

HON. LAMAR SMITH

OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, recent polls show that the public is very concerned with the Obama administration's handling of national security.

The latest Investor's Business Daily poll findings show that Americans believe President Obama's policies are soft on terror. The percentage of Americans who feel safe has declined significantly--from 82 percent a year ago, to 67 percent this month.

Additionally, the Pew Research Center recently released findings showing terrorism is the third most important issue to American voters, after jobs and the economy.

This is due in part to the mishandling of the Christmas Day terrorist attempt. Instead of gaining valuable intelligence, Abdulmutallab was given Miranda rights, a move that 61 percent of Americans disagree with. Additionally, Americans continue to overwhelmingly oppose closing Gitmo 2-to-1.

It is clear President Obama's policies have made Americans less safe. And according to the polls, the American people know it.