Right-Wing Blocks Funding For Port Security, Disaster Preparedness

[cal04]

Moments ago, the House of Representatives narrowly defeated an amendment proposed by Rep. Martin Sabo (D-MN) that would have provided $1.25 billion in desperately needed funding for port security and disaster preparedness. The Sabo amendment included:

– $300 million to enable U.S. customs agents to inspect high-risk containers at all 140 overseas ports that ship directly to the United States. Current funding only allows U.S. customs agents to operate at 43 of these ports.
– $400 million to place radiation monitors at all U.S. ports of entry. Currently, less than half of U.S. ports have radiation monitors.
– $300 million to provide backup emergency communications equipment for the Gulf Coast.
Meanwhile, the Bush budget – which most of the members who voted against this bill will likely support – contains an increase of $1.7 billion for missile defense, a program that doesn’t even work.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/03/16/port-security-funding/

3:06 P.M. -
On agreeing to the Sabo amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 56).
roll call not out yet

[AllieB]

1. No surprises there

The Repubs need to have another terrorist attack in order to gain credibility, as sick as that sounds.

[adigal]

39. How did Maj Leader Boehner vote? Said Feingold supports terrorists

I heard he voted against it - so WHO SUPPORTS TERRORISTS, YOU EVIL MAN??????

[spindrifter]

2. This is why most of the people in

Congress need to be voted out of office. They need to get back to work in the real world. No more B.S. from them.

[Sleepless In NY]

4. Hope this vote haunts them in the 2006 Elections

I hope the democrats bring this vote up every chance they get through out the year. Strong on National Security but voted against it? Talk about flip flops.

[blm]

36. Problem is that it isn't getting any attention from media or Dem activists

who don't realize this is a defining issue for 2006.

[wordpix2]

52. no funding for disaster preparedness after Katrina, ports money after DPW

deal was killed & security got all that attention---repukes are so blatantly, transparently, obviously on the wrong side of this---I hope they hear from their constituents loud and clear in November.

[Lasher]

3. Can't touch that Maginot Line in the sky

The military-industrial complex won't let them plug that leak. Port security is a bad investment because those expenditures would be harder to funnel into the pockets of Bush's wealthy elite base.

[formercia]

8. It increases their overhead

and slows throughput. Profit is the motive.

[rudy23]

5. Wow, that's just the slam dunk we need to show the R's are weak on terror

Which is exactly why the Dems in Congress will never mention this vote again. Well, we'd hate for people to think Democrats are complainers.

[ClintonTyree]

6. Republicans.......weak on homeland security.

Very strong on needless wars and tax breaks for the rich however. The American people will decide in November which one they care more about.

[mom cat]

20. Weak? ... They are downright inviting a disaster. Any Dem not screaming

to high heavens should be made to look for other work. Any Repub who voted against port security should be thrown out and imprisoned at an undefended port.

[Higans]

7. This is sickening.

This is exactly why I believe that when a dirty bomb does go off in one of our ports, we will see Bush all over the TV going "No one could have imagined". Those ass holes not only want an attack, they pray for one, and probably give enabling information to the terrorist. those sick bastards. Can they give just one reason to vote no on this issue? Cause there is only one reason I can think of:

[BadgerKid]

28. Is there a plan?

Weaken port security ==> America is attacked ==> * (or whoever might be controlling same) declares martial law, elections suspended indefinitely.

[Higans]

55. that sounds about right to me. Welcome to DU

[gkhouston]

9. "$1.7 billion for missile defense"

aw, jeez, don't tell me they're still pouring money into that bowser. They couldn't hit a bull in the ass with a bass fiddle with that system. :eyes:

[blondeatlast]

14. Yeah, but it fills some tony DC pocketbooks. what else matters? nt

[wordpix2]

45. it's not just DC pocketbooks---it's world investors, big banks, profiteers

internationale

[AnnieBW]

10. Why

Aren't the Dems all over this like flies on garbage?

[truth2power]

11. The only reason Bush and his lackeys in Congress

are unconcerned about actually DOING something to improve security is that they know there is no credible foreign terrorist threat. MIHOP/LIHOP.

[VP505]

12. Another disgusting

NO vote, yesterday the Senate shot down an amendment to add more funding for Veterans health care. Have a look at http://bobgeiger.blogspot.com/ Bob Geiger pretty well covers it.

[IronLionZion]

13. Republicans are so tough on security

because they want to fight them over there while Democrats want to fight them over here.
:sarcasm:

The corrupt oligarchs can profit more easily from bullshit star wars missiles than by actually securing our homeland. I hate RepubliCONs.

[SeattleGirl]

15. These people make me sick.

They don't give a flying fig about the people of this country. How DARE they vote against this? Do they think that in the event of a major security breach at a port of entry, only Democrats would be hurt or killed? That seems to be their thinking. Or maybe they just don't give a rat's ass about ANYONE but themselves, regardless of political leaning. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[blondeatlast]

16. Take note of how your Reps voted on this, especially red staters.

I'm in AZ and I'm damn sure Shadegg (mine) voted it down.

And damn if he isn't up for re-election this year...

[wordpix2]

46. is there a link so we can see how our repuke reps voted?

as if I don't know

[LSK]

17. dump more money into the black hole pit that is Iraq

Excuse me while I go vomit.

[Beetwasher]

18. This Is Severe Group Dysfunction and Mental Illness

n/t

[stepnw1f]

19. GOP Doesn't Give a Fuck about this Country

[babsbunny]

23. AMEN!

Our Beautiful America Is slowly eroding!

[harpo]

40. I would agree with that based on this vote alone

[wordpix2]

47. damn right--now you fuckers, you've REALLY made us mad!

[LSK]

21. roll call vote up now

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll056.xml

[wordpix2]

48. my Rep Nancy Johnson (R) didn't vote---hahaha, between rock & hard place

that being, this is a blue state and she's a BushCo supporter if not a member of the team. She is going to be in a tight race & I guess she doesn't want to piss us off any further than we already are.

[Ksec]

22. They hate America . Seriously

Why would they do this unless they hated America and its prosperity and security?

[wordpix2]

49. They are only out for THEIR security & propserity--I think a jail cell is

the secure place for them

[Oneliest]

24. These are the things that cause people to flee the party

Just today I articulated it too myself that I can't call myself a Republican anymore. It unfathomable that we can spend billons and billons of dollars overseas for other nations security, or to wage war, but we can't spend some here where we will eventually be attacked again.

It may take me a bit to wean myself off the republican kool-aide, and in my personal life I will always be conservative (lower case c), but I can't continue to support a party that continually makes the wrong choices for America.

http://lonelyistheoneliestnumber.blogspot.com/

[annabanana]

30. Welcome to DU Oneliest....

We are glad to see you here, and you have plenty of company, believe me! Every once in a while someone will start a "who used to be a Republican?" thread and there are lots of responses. We here on the left would WELCOME the Republican Party of old... (you know, the one we could consider our loyal opposition, the one who's love of Country was unassailable, regardless of our differences on how to achieve the dearly to be hoped for result of a stronger, happier and healthier America).

My Parents who consider themselves Eisenhower Republicans, are conservative, down to earth, honest and appalled at the usurpers in the Administration.

[LSK]

31. Welcome to DU!

I suggest that everything that you held to be true that you should now question. Especially the meaning of what Democrats stand for and what it means to be a liberal and progressive. Im sure you have heard a lot of propaganda and you should try and clear your mind of it.

Many people here want balanced budgets and are fiscally "conservative". It is true that your party has left you. The Democratic party is a big tent and we welcome you as long as you have an open mind and question things and research things.

[wordpix2]

50. welcome, oneliest!

[PATRICK]

25. The easy answer in retrospect

now seems to be they didn't want to lay out the money until the deal was handed off to the right private contractor. Which leads one to suspect that members of the leadership in Congress possibly knew about the Dubai deal. A venal reason instead of the deadly conspiratorial intention of allowing us to be hit. However, as with 911, the hand of greed washes the hand of LIHOP until it barely matters anymore WHAT their motivation or planning is.

Also with Dubai, it is interesting that it might be a gigantic protection racket besides being a a way to recycle their oil wealth back into American hands(a la Japan) as the gleefully join the club buying up the country. When the Cole was hit in Aden, the British competition for the Asian - ME trade routes slid to Dubai's favor as they boasted nothing like that happened in their ports. Maybe there was a good reason? You pay a terrorist connected financier for protection, it is the easy slimy way to get incestuous security of a sort. But the kind you can't brag to your people about.

And everyone(among the right people) makes money.

[Lebowski]

26. It's important that we have that $1.7B for missile defense...

...to protect us against all the ICBMs they're bringing online in Iceland. One seldom hears about the insidious threat the Icelanders pose. They're keeping it low-key, sneaking up on us, lulling us to sleep with their hot springs and false bonhomie. When we least expect it...BAM! Nukes start raining on us. Only George stands between us and a nuclear winter unleashed by the Terror of the North.

Education? Pah! Who needs it? Medical care for all? A pox on that. If you can't afford it, you should be weeded out of the gene pool anyway. Clean air and water? There's plenty for us! Let the next generation(s) worry about that!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

27. If the Dems don't seize on this with campaign ads aplenty I just

think I will spontaneously combust.

Also, they voted against the Stabenow amendment to provide funding for improved first responder communications.

Wonder who the 12 republicans are. They must not be in the greed loop

[annabanana]

29. Peter King, who made such a big friggen stink

about port security over the Dubai deal, who is Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, who was trying to score anti-Bush points in his blue and getting bluer district...

voted against it.

[blm]

35. I hope his opponent makes it a defining issue.

.

[wordpix2]

51. hopefully voters will vote NO to Mr. No Vote King in November

[Mugsy]

32. $92 (B)ILLION??? Remember when hundreds of millions was a lot?

A $92 BILLION dollar spending proposal.

Remember when "hundreds of Millions" was considered a lot of money?

ABC News just said the National Debt has grown "by over $3 Trillion dollars under President Bush". Actually, I belive the number is closer to $4.5 Trillion. Reagan got it up to $4T, Bush Sr got it up to $5T and Clinton had actually managed to start paying some of it off. No way did the Nat Debt grow to $6T under Clinton!

[Disturbed]

34. Scrap the Star Wars Boondogle.

"$1.7 billion for missile defense"

This would pay for Natl Defense of the Ports.

The RW only cares about filling up the coffers of the MIC and their Multi-Natl. Corps contributors.

[Marie26]

37. And don't forget the $900 BILLION dollar tax cut! nt

[Marie26]

33. It's all so crazy. nt

[SeaBob]

38. Port security

I desperately want to see that roll call vote

[ClusterFreak]

41. ...and again, for what seems like the umpteenth time, I ask....

Why do the Republicans hate America?

Still waiting for an answer.

[fearnobush]

42. 1.25 Bil is not a lot in Bush world, this is really about blocking Dems

from getting bills passed. The GOP does not give a shit about America. They only want to profit from her, sell her as a slave for the rest of the world so that they can reap the profits by exploiting her resources and those include ports.

[NovaNardis]

43. Remember though...

Look at the Not Votes for the Dems. If those 7 Dems had voted, the bill would have passed. Granted, if the 9 Republicans had voted, the bill would have been defeated. However, the non-votes are always something to consider.

[wordpix2]

44. They value Star Wars over homeland security---these repukes are OUT in '06

[Up2Late]

53. Oh, we wouldn't want that to pass, here in OPPOSITE WORLD!

:banghead: :eyes:

[Canuckistanian]

54. I hope they're not watching this in Iran

It'll show them we have no resolve to fight terra.

[Jesterstear]

56. Have any of them said why?

I'd like to know why they voted against it. Did they disagree with the funding, or was there another (probably unrelated) provision in there that they disagreed with? Let's be honest, folks, that dirty trick is regularly used on both sides of the political fence.

[savemefromdumbya]

57. READ MY LIPS "The threat to the United States is forefront in my mind".

this is going to come back to haunt him (just like his dad in the no more tax increase

You would think they would fund homeland security?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060123-4.html

[newspeak]

58. I remember during Clinton's second term

wasn't there a banking bill to track money laundering funding terrorism and it was shot down by the Republican Congress? Why are the Republicans so against tracking money laundering? Are they involved in drugs, terrorism? Why are some threatened about tracking money? Are some corporations, say like Halliburton, involved in illegal activities? Anyone know the answer.

[williesgirl]

59. Just emailed Frank Wolf (R VA) that he's lost my vote over this

especially if he votes yes on the missle defense bill.

Every DUer should do likewie. Let them know this is unacceptable.

[Ian David]

60. New Orleans obstructed Trent Lott's view of the oil platforms anyway

Now, when he and Bush sit on Lott's bigger, better front porch together, they'll have a clear view of their beloved oil rigs.

[MCMetal]

61. Missile Defense Bill ................?

Chimpy and Co. couldn't even prevent planes from hitting the friggin' WTC .
Who in their right mind believes anything the retarded simian in the White House claims to work , or is going to work ?