threats, nuclear threats to the homeland, protection of our national leaders and response to natural disasters. we include cbp which is itself the largest federal law enforcement agency in the country, ice, immigration and customs enforcement, citizenship and immigration services, tsa, the coast guard, the secret service, fema, the federal law enforcement training center, federal protection service and others. altogether 22 components. in my view counterterrorism most and will remain and others. altogether 22 components. in my view counterterrorism must and will remain the cornerstone of our departments mission, the reason we performed right after september 11 and it is still a dangerous a dangerous world in terms of the terrorist threat to the homeland. many of the leaders of core al qaeda responsible for the attack are either captured or killed. core al qaeda had a relatively conventional command-and-control structure, but things are becoming more complicated in terms of the terrorist threat. ..

>> >> going to the funny thing is in syria linking up with extremist the returning to the home countries including this one and other countries for which we do not require a piece of. they're rights as social

media and of the use of internet to recruit and inspire is a new phenomenon compared to 30 years ago. groups have the ability to recruit without an individual ever going to a terrorist training camp. were to be trained from a command and control structure. and dc a rise of bill wolf attack in the australian ottawa a and here in this country from time to time. the lone wolf threat must be taken seriously because it could arise at any moment in a whole landor's united states. our intelligence community does a pretty good job but

the nature of bill lowe's wolf attack as such it could occur at any moment with little warning. obviously there has been the military response as part of the international coalition against isil and iraq and syria. period and in response to the threats generally to and hands aviation security beginning in july i a directed we enhance aviation security between 18 and 20 airports. per those getting on from the united states.

so at that last point of departure that ccf other rival airports for the airport we have done this now oversees deny want to build more i want to move:security al beyond our border to defend them that the 50-yard line versus the 1 yard line. we have screened and denied

last year of 450 individuals from the screening data base. as i announced on november 3rd we are requesting more data and information from travelers who seek to travel to this country from those which we do not require a visa. in general for those who seek to travel here. i asked my staff whether they can obtain more bavaria's security assurances that they provide to us when they become participants in the program. here at home we have enhanced our a gauge reds. talked-about to personally

participate in these programs i go to islamic cultural centers and i have done this now in chicago in columbus, ohio and minneapolis. from community organizations and islamic organizations for the young people that have the inclination to turn to violence could be inspired by what they read and see. but these community leaders want to talk about issues that people in their community have with the department of all land security like profiling airports or enforcement of immigration laws. so as to build trust that of the with my department but

the other components of the federal government in to engaged as well as the private sector -- sector. and with this stage of homeland security as we see a. borders security is close related it to make huge investments the border security. we're now at a place where there are but assets and personal technology they have there ever has been and we have seen results in the year 2000 we ratify of 1.

51,486,000,000 and apprehensions are the indicator of total offense to cross the border illegally. in 2000 was 1.6 million. the last few years has been down which is the fraction of what used to be. it was around 480,000 that went up slightly path to the spike of legal migration just in south texas in the rio grande valley section. everyone here saw images of the kids crossing the border in the rio grande valley sector. research last summer we

crackdown on the smuggling organizations the numbers of those in the is also the number of repatriations. that high water mark i can give you the exact day coverage june 10, 2014 after that point and once we began to put in place the number declined dramatically. when the new year comes in and always peaks year after year then goes back down again. last summer in the rio grande valley sector it went up than duke declined up dramatically to the point where the numbers of kids

crossing and is now the lowest in two years but i want to keep the place where the resources we put on the southern border to prevent this from happening again. was in a place in texas on monday to talk about the opening of our new detention center the largest immigration detention center that we have with the capability to hold 2400 people. we should send a message the borders are not open to the goal when dash illegal migration but it is consistent with our laws and values. also putting in place of a

campaign strategy to eliminate the stovepipes where i see and cis does its thing we will now deal with border security in a strategic fashion to have a task force leader who coordinates the efforts of border security i announced the leaders of the three task forces. everyone here knows about the immigration executive orders that the president announced but what i would like to stress is those our comprehensive in nature the emigrant accountability aspect has received a lot of attention in the judgment of office of legal counsel we

have the authority to fix the broken immigration system in a variety of ways including deferred action. we want to encourage people they simply will not be deported their members of society in these are not criminals i want to know who they are and want them to come out of the shadows so we offer people the opportunity to come out of the shadows to submit to a background check to be held accountable. him if they're not criminals and have not been convicted of serious crimes. there is a fair statement

and i suspect we have support from mayors and members of congress and others who assist to a encourage people to apply but there are other aspects of executive action on recent arrivals the executive actions are not for those to come here illegally or this year. there is anabasis on border security. ways that we can facilitate employment from the high-tech industry. to move the bureaucratic delays associated with a green cards in doing the community's program. with cybersecurity everyone is aware of the attack on

saudi. i said on tv two hours ago this attack is a serious attack. at this point we're not ready to identify who we believe is responsible but u.s. government is taking this very seriously as an attack on its employees with the freedoms the we enjoy a in this country as an artist to make something although it could be controversial. we are reviewing a range of options how we will respond to this attack. i am pleased in the meantime our congress working in a bipartisan fashion this to strengthen and bolster the department's role of cybersecurity the national sever security protection

act that codifies ths to have the private sector the federal information modernization act that codifies the authority to assist other federal agencies and the border patrol agent reform act to enhance paid for cybersecurity in just last week with senator coburn and carter and others working in a bipartisan fashion to strengthen my department cybersecurity mission. tsa, the administrator for

the last four and a half years is retiring at the end of this year and had his retirement ceremony yesterday. and tsa is in a better place. it has enhanced aviation security and is more popular with the mayor can public. i suspect most people in this room are members of pre-check just looking at this crowd. [laughter] you don't have to take off your belt or your shoes at the same time that recheck enables us to focus on the class of travelers we know less about.

and with the screening efforts the first 10 months i decided i want to talk about this myself. at airports in the united states that you go to comment tsa seized from carry-on luggage from commercial airlines 1,055 firearms. one of those were loaded. over 3,000 weapons of one type or another were seized in the first 10 months of 2014. act to go back:just please thank them and feed the -- and i have seen fema in

action and they do remarkable job. rereleasing of recommendations of the independent panel has made tuesday united states secret service. i appointed a panel to take the outside look of the role of the secret service and has reviewed the recommendations and we will of release a summary in his astute than a thorough and fair. they do remarkable job to protect the president and national leaders with said general assembly every year they are the best protection service and the world no

other one could do with the secret service does. it is an organization there is is in need of some change that is incumbent upon the leadership of the secret service as well as the cabinet secretary to bring about this change to make sure it is sustained. sub of the recommendations made in years past gore never acted upon. we're in the midst of a recapitalization and excited of the new leadership in the number of things we're doing over the last year almost exactly one year. we have embarked upon a unity of the effort to bring about a more centralized

decision making at the department level for a strategic budget crisis. we have embarked on a campaign we've brought back the awards program in and hitting out candy canes to workers as they arrived. this is inside baseball the department of romney is

security receive the unqualified audit opinion from of the outside auditors. the second time in history of our department even though it has only been an existence 11 years that we have received the unqualified audit opinion. of course, you would expect that but with government that is not always the case. given my department is only 11 years old to to that is is remarkable is passed last week we're still operating on the sea are expiring february 27. that puts them in security in a very troublesome

position it is disruptive to create uncertainty with our homeland is security work force and in our programs. i supported the deal made with congress and overall it was a good thing we not have a government shut down but we need to come back to my department to find them in february. we cannot engage in the new starts robbery operate under the sea are. with a surge of resources to deal with this bike up migration. we ask for a supplemental but have not received support from congress but that bill needs to be paid.

and it seems to have the appropriations bill but until we have the appropriations bill. with the homeless security initiatives it is key that we get one. but on the good news french with the senior level positions face to the hard work with leadership positions over the last year at the new secretariat new deputy secretary and a new

undersecretary a new undersecretary for analysis and a new inspector general a new director of cis. and the vice commandant of the coast guard. and last week it with as secretary for legislative affairs we have won nomination in left pending who happens to be a former client of mine.

who has impressed virtually every senator he has met i was hoping he would reconfirmed early in the new year. it is not an accident by a nominated someone from johnson & johnson a large decentralized health care company. with the 108 committees and have heard the real response to -- improved response times and have good bipartisan relationship. but i have testified 12

times in 12 months before congress which keeps me busy but i believe we have improved our relations. in conclusion i would like to say in my judgment the role of my department and home is security between roman security with preservation of values and freedoms and liberties. the first instinct of a security expert for a sample of weight got a risk to aviation security to require no carry on luggage no jackets nobody gets up you

could create the risk free commercial flight -- flight but it would be miserable in the unnecessary burden i could have more walls and screening devices in interrogate more people in the name of a homeland security the you with live in a prison. so we put a premium on freedom of movement and association we cherish our freedoms and privacy. so homeland security is striking a balance which is what we seek

>> >> in terms of integration.

>> i will be the first to agree. >> you issued a directive of its dhs initiative so could you take time to speak to what progress you have seen and what you would do to create a more corporate entity? >> with that decision making process is typically chaired by the deputy secretary to do bring forward a different decision that is made with the input of all components sitting around the table that concerns the budget process but that is already in place. less formally we have routine discussions around

the table at department headquarters to talk about a variety of issues as recently as yesterday. which indispensability involves a discussion of co-starred leadership. and former reagan former

reagan economic advisor arthur laffer. this is an hour and a half. >> good morning. welcome to the heritage foundation. we appreciate those joining us on our website as well as c-span during his presentation. i would ask everyone here and now secured be so if you would

be so client to thought so kind to check the cell phones. our internet internet viewers are always welcome to send questions or comments at any time simply e-mailing the speaker. we will have a question and answers and ask that you wait for the microphone for the convenience of record. opening our program this morning and making a special welcome to our guests is the current president of the heritage foundation former senator jim dement. >> thank you. merry christmas, everyone. merry christmas to all who are tuning into the heritage network or through c-span. this is a. this is a great day to come together and talk about the power of ideas. we have a super panel here today, and it is our job to help to shape the debate, build consensus around ideas that we will make life better for people all across america. part of part of that process is bringing in people from all walks of life, business,

the think tank world and to actually that different ideas and to set priorities as an organization and as a conservative movement. that is a big part of what we are doing. doing. i appreciate steve leading this and ensure larry will completely introduce our panelists. thank you. i cannot think of a better panel. the ideas to do this and to have other guests and all around the country to bring america in and help america see those ideas that really will build a better life. what we want to deliver is a conservative policy reform agenda that really focuses on opportunity for all and favoritism for none. that is where where the dividing line is in politics, the

politics of division on the left, breaking people into groups, playing one group against another, trying to get special carveouts whether it's corny capitalism are was a mother types versus the idea that we are all americans. we all want to build a a better country. that is an inspiring message there are some, but most americans don't want to be part of a minority. they want to have the same opportunity and they don't like a government that is picking favorites, winners and losers and taking taxpayer money and throwing

it one way or another. it is not fair or equitable. but you will here today is lot of good economic messages for energy, tax code and i can't think of a better group to talk about that and really dig down into the issues. larry is going to facilitate this one of the brightest economic minds in the world, and of told him several times about being on his saturday radio show where we can sit back and dig in. thank you for being here and leading this. i hope that i can do my next meeting quickly. welcome to heritage. >> thanks. [applauding] >> thanks to sen. jim senator jim goodman, truly a great american, blessed to have him. cnbc. we have a distinguished panel.

essentially were going to try to talk about ideas to promote economic growth, the application of free-market principles. a lot of angles, of angles, subheadings. i would just say from my own standpoint domestically the greatest challenge to america in the next decade is to restore economic growth in the least that a minimal get us back to the post-world war ii tram line which is about three and half percent per year. as much as $4 trillion behind that. we create jobs. taxes, energy, taxes, energy, all deregulation including obama care. monitor policy by notice

sen. elizabeth. one of the cochairman of the sandinista wing of the democratic party has come out today in the newspapers against the trade promotion bills, but the european bill and the pacific bill which is perfect example of congress sending the wrong message and failing to understand what causes growth and what continues growth. so that is essentially what we are we're trying to do. now, to my left immediately is this carly farina, an old friend. by way of introduction before we came up and i agree i think the greatest part is she started as a secretary. ..

>> >> and finally here at

heritage also a dear friend of mine i will not say most notably by importing the from the "wall street journal" pumping about exactly the kind of stuff stuff, the benefits of free market economics and i can only assume a large percentage of congress has note reading skills because of the bad education background. and their failure to read "the wall street journal" editorials that steve more rotisserie would all be better if they had.

it will let each panel speaker five minutes then we will go back and forth. even where we disagree. on the matter of promoting economic growth, what would you say are the three most important ideas in your mind? to run the country? >> it is a pleasure to be with everyone here at heritage in my distinguished analyst. but we have to start with a recognition of the most important resources that we have. the only limit this resource that we have is human potential.

in this country became the greatest economy because we created the economic system that unblocks human potential. i started off as the secretary and one of the most important things that happened in my young life is when two men said we thank you have the of potential to do what we do. somebody took a chance on me. in interest every brigades someone to take that chance. we lifted people mostly women out of poverty and destitute circumstances with the starter loan of $150. we have lent $6 billion that

way and that demonstrates everyone has potential regardless of circumstances to live a life of dignity and purpose in meeting regards this because our founders knew that. it when they say "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" they mean everyone to have the opportunity to use their god-given gifts to fulfill their potential every create a system were more things are possible for more people. we did that in large measure because small businesses thrived into entrepreneurship was valued. i started a nine person company. small-business not big business give two-thirds of americans there first job in an employee half the people and in opaque as seven times the rate of big business for if we want to grow our

economy we have to focus on the most important resource that we have. to recognize for the first time in u.s. history we are destroying more businesses than we are creating. big businesses doing great the stock market is doing great but small businesses are struggling they cannot handle the crushing load to what the government puts on it 40 years. but today we are wasting potential that burden rests most heavily on women and children with income inequality at the highest level for policies have been

in place 30 years. so i think to focus on economic growth and to have a chance not independence and entitlement.

>> >> what you see is americans think they don't have limitless possibilities anymore. they're children don't. we used to be a nation of people thought i can do what

i want. but we are losing at and it is tragic with economic consequences of people's lives and we're missing leadership that recognizes everyone does have potential or deserve a chance and we save lives with trading. we can solve every problem that we have to recognize the most important resource we have it is human potential. it is limitless. thank you so much. [applause] >> i am going to go out of order for one second. you have written a lot of good stuff on the decline of the americas start a parade that quantitatively