Massachusetts Senator Richard T. Moore :: Issues & Legislation :: Public Safety & Homeland Security

For more than a decade, Senator Moore has been a strong advocate for improved security against the threat of terrorism or natural disaster. A former associate director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the Clinton Administration, he is working hard to ensure that federal funding to improve local public health and emergency response capacity gets to the communities he represents. Learn more in our special section on Emergency Preparedness.

Senator Moore is a long-time supporter of the Massachusetts National Guard and the principal sponsor of legislation to reform the military division by providing cabinet-level status to the Adjutant General of the National Guard and requiring that Assistant Adjutants General meet certain professional qualifications rather than gain their position by political connections.

Senator Moore sponsored the Emergency Health Powers Act, a major reform of laws governing public health emergencies such as bio-terrorism or major epidemics. The law addresses the delicate balance of protection of the health of the community and protection of individual liberties.

Senator Moore is also the principal sponsor of Constitutional Amendments to provide for continuity of representative government in the event of a major disaster as well as to provide for legislative terms of four years rather than two years to reduce campaign costs and campaign time.