Out of My Mind

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The Republican Party's Failures On Homeland Security

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

From the DNC:

Washington, DC – As more details emerge about President Bush's bungling of a deal to allow a foreign government-owned company to run some of our nation's largest seaports, his failure to protect our homeland becomes clearer. This deal also turns the spotlight on the Republican Congress's repeated moves to block funds needed for vital homeland security projects since 9/11, including Democratic efforts to close gaps in port security.

According to an internal report released yesterday, the Coast Guard "warned before Dubai Ports World was given clearance to take over five US port terminals that 'intelligence gaps' about the company made it impossible to assess whether the deal posed any threats to national security." [Financial Times, 2/28/06] The report contradicts statements by the Bush Administration officials that no concerns were raised about the deal prior to its approval by federal officials.

Also, four years after 9/11, "the maritime industry is still waiting for the federal government to deliver on its promise of an identity card for port workers." The program is two years behind schedule and won't be ready until Spring 2007 – or later. [Philadelphia Inquirer, 2/28/06]

"The failure of the Republican Congress and the Bush Administration to secure our homeland becomes clearer every day," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Luis Miranda. "With their inability to secure our ports and their repeated broken promises four years after 9/11, the American people know that the Republican Congress and President Bush are not taking America's security seriously."

Republicans In the House Vote Against Securing America's Ports

Republicans Killed A Vote On An Amendment That Would Have Added $250 Million For Port Security Grants. Republicans killed the vote on the Obey, D-Wis., amendment that would add $2.5 billion for homeland security, including $800 million for first responder grants, $250 million for port security grants, and $150 million for research to develop capabilities against chemical weapons. [HR 1559, Vote #104, 4/3/03] NOTE: Every Republican present voted to kill this amendment. http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll104.xml

Republicans Voted Against $400 million Increase in Port Security. In 2005, Republicans voted against an alternative Homeland Security Authorization proposal that would commit $41 billion to securing the nation from terrorist threats - $6.9 billion more than the President's budget. The proposal called for an additional $400 million in funding for port security, including $13 million to double the number of new overseas port inspectors provided for in the President's budget. The proposal addressed the holes in securing the nation's ports by requiring DHS to develop container security standards, integrate container security pilot projects, and examine ways to integrate container inspection equipment and data. [HR 1817, Roll Call #187, 5/18/05] http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll187.xml

Republicans In The Senate Vote Against Securing America's Ports

Republicans Voted Against Restoring Homeland Security Funding For Ports. In 2005, Washington Republicans voted against an amendment to protect the American people from terrorist attacks by restoring $565 million in cuts to vital first-responder programs in the Department of Homeland Security, including the State Homeland Security Grant program, by providing $150 million for port security grants and by providing $140 million for 1,000 new border patrol agents.[ S.Amdt. 220 to S.Con.Res. 18]

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_
vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00064

Republicans Voted Against $150 Million In Additional Funding For Port Security. In September 2004, Republicans voted against a bill which would appropriate an additional $150,000,000 for port security research and development grants. [S.Amdt. 3580 to H.R. 4567]

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_
vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=2&vote=00166

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