Bush Maroons Port Security

Today, President Bush gave the commencement address at the Merchant Marine Academy in King's Point, NY. The Merchant Marines play a crucial role in securing our ports and cargo, and in time of war or national emergency, is vital to national security and is considered to be our country's "fourth arm of defense." [http://www.usmma.edu/about/default.htm]

Unfortunately, while the Merchant Marines valiantly serve our nation, President Bush and Republicans in Congress have continuously talked tough, but have failed to do what it takes to keep America safe, weakening our national security. Democrats remain committed to keeping our ports and borders secure.

"From their failures on port security to their failures to ensure we are prepared for natural disasters, the Bush Administration has consistently failed to secure America's safety," said Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. "Since 9/11, Republicans in Washington have consistently blocked measures to fund needed programs to protect our ports. From programs to detect nuclear weapons at our ports to vital homeland security funding, Americans have been let down by failed GOP leadership. Democrats remain committed to keeping our ports and borders secure."

New Homeland Security Dept. Study: Major U.S. Cities Not Ready For Catastrophes. "New Orleans is still woefully unprepared for catastrophes 10 months after Hurricane Katrina, and New York and Washington don't meet all the guidelines for responding to major disasters, a federal security analysis concluded Friday. The evaluation, conducted by the Homeland Security Department, found the vast majority of U.S. cities and states, including Michigan, are far from ready for terrorist attacks, huge natural disasters or other wide-reaching emergencies." [AP, 6/17/06]

The Bush Administration's Failed Record On Port Security Policies

DHS Report Card: Bush Administration Gets "C-/D+" on Port Security; Bush Port Policies A "House of Cards." The Democratic Staff of the Committee on Homeland Security's annual report card on the Department of Homeland Security gave the department a C-/D+ on its port security policies. They called the current port security regime a "house of cards," and noted that containers arriving at American ports are rarely inspected and that the Department "remains unaware of security arrangements at foreign ports and vessels shipping goods to the United States." In addition to the threats millions of Americans face as a result of the Bush White House's failed port policies, it was estimated that "a terrorist attack at a major U.S. seaport would cause $60 billion in economic damages." [Democratic Staff of the Committee on Homeland Security, Annual Report Card, 2/06]

Bush Budget Shortchanges Port Security:

• Bush Budget Forces Ports To Compete With Rail, Mass Transit For Funds. President Bush's FY07 budget "eliminates the port security grant program, the only source of funds committed to help ports pay for post-9/11 security requirements." And, instead of funds set aside specifically for ports, the White House "has proposed $600 million in Targeted Infrastructure Protection Program (TIPP) grants, forcing ports to compete with rail, mass transit, and other critical infrastructure for funding." [Democratic Staff of the Committee on Homeland Security, Annual Report Card, 2/06]
  
  
• Bush Budget Does Not Address Needed Screening For Nuclear Weapons And Dirty Bombs. The Bush Administration has also not done enough to make sure that containers arriving at our ports are checked. Seventy-five percent of our ports do not have the ability to screen a container for dirty bombs or nuclear weapons. But, President Bush "requested only $157 million for radiation portal monitors, which means U.S. seaports will not have the ability to screen containers for nuclear weapons." [Democratic Staff of the Committee on Homeland Security, Annual Report Card, 2/06]

Democrats Continue To Fight To Keep America Safe, While Republicans Have Consistently Blocked Needed Port Security Reforms

Since 9/11, Republicans have blocked Democratic efforts to strengthen the security of our nation's ports.

Senate Republicans Voted Against $150 Million for Port Security Grants to Help Reduce U.S. Vulnerabilities. In 2005, Senate Republicans voted against an amendment to the FY 2006 Budget Resolution to provide an additional $855 million in homeland security funding, including $150 million for port security grants. [Vote 64, 3/17/05]

Senate Republicans Voted Against $150 Million To Develop Equipment To Detect Nuclear Weapons Hidden In Containers In U.S. Ports. In 2004, Senate Republicans voted against an amendment to the FY 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to provide an additional $150 million to develop equipment to detect nuclear weapons hidden in containers entering U.S. ports. [Vote 166, 9/8/04, Associated Press, 9/10/04]

Senate Republicans Voted Against $142 Million For The Coast Guard, Along With Port And Maritime Security Grants. In 2003, Senate Republicans voted against an amendment to the FY 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to increase funding for port and maritime security grants by $100 million and funding for Coast Guard operations and security by $42 million. [Vote 300, 7/24/03]

Senate Republicans Voted Against $238 Million To Improve Port And Border Security, Despite $1 Billion In Requests From Ports. In 2003, Senate Republicans voted against an amendment to the FY 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations bill to increase overall homeland security spending by $1.75 billion, including $238.5 million for port and border security. Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) said, "The Transportation Security Administration received over $1 billion of applications from the ports for the limited funding that was approved by Congress last year." [Vote 291, 7/22/03; Congressional Record, 7/22/03]

Senate Republicans Voted Against $1.13 Billion For Homeland Security, Including Funding To Strengthen Security At The Nation's Ports. In 2003, Senate Republicans voted against an amendment to the FY 2003 War Supplemental to provide $1.13 billion for spending on port security, mass transit security and other homeland security spending. [Vote 120, 4/3/03]

Senate Republicans Voted Against $1 Billion To Improve Port Security, Including The U.S. Customs Service And Grants To States And Localities. In 2003, Senate Republicans voted against an amendment to the FY 2003 War Supplemental to provide a total of $1 billion for port security, including the Customs Service, the Transportation Security Administration, grants to states and localities, and the Coast Guard. [Vote 115, 4/2/03]

House Republicans Voted To Kill An Amendment To Add $250 For Port Security Grants. Republicans voted to kill a Democratic amendment that would add $2.5 billion for homeland security, including $250 million for port security grants, $800 million for first responder grants, and $150 million for research to develop capabilities against chemical weapons. [HR 1559, Vote #104, 4/3/03]

House Republicans Voted Against Increased 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. Currently DHS, has three very similar container security pilot projects that are not coordinated in any fashion, resulting in wasted money and redundant efforts. Finally, the plan required DHS to conduct a study of the risk factors associated with the port of Miami and ports in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, including the U.S. Virgin Islands. The alternative plan failed, 196-230. [HR 1817, Roll Call #187, 5/18/05; Committee on Homeland Security Minority Office, http://www.house.gov/hsc/democrats/]