Big Business Wins, National Security Loses (GOP reneges on port security)

[ProSense]

Big Business Wins, National Security Loses

Posted by jesselee
Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 4:24 PM

Yesterday CongressDaily reported on something that most Americans might raise an eyebrow or two about...

House panel pressured to defeat cargo inspection amendment

A coalition of industry groups is mounting an aggressive lobbying campaign to persuade House Homeland Security Committee Republicans to oppose an amendment that would require all cargo to be scanned at foreign ports before being shipped to the United States.

The amendment will be introduced by Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass, when the committee meets Wednesday to mark up a major bipartisan port security bill.

The coalition includes several of the nation's largest business groups, retailers and importers, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which represents outlets like Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot and Best Buy.

Today Republicans did what you would expect, and defeated the amendment.

When the Dubai ports fiasco came into the national spotlight, there was a certain discomfort in finding ourselves on the same side as some of the most racist and xenophobic elements of the radical Republican right. The truth was that there were certainly very legitimate security concerns that had absolutely nothing to do with the motivations and prejudices from some on the other side of the aisle. And yet to some that was parsing, a frivolous distinction -- I myself had to fend off some such accusations on this very blog.

http://www.dccc.org/stakeholder/archives/004643.html

Three weeks ago:

REPUBLICANS ABOUT-FACE ON PORT SECURITY, SUPPORT 100 PERCENT CARGO SCREENING AFTER THEY OPPOSED IT

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC—House Democratic Caucus Chairman James E. Clyburn today commented on House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republicans adopting a major plank of the Democratic Party’s Real Security Agenda, scanning 100 percent of cargo entering American ports. The tenant of the Democrat’s security plan was accepted as an amendment to the Maritime Terminal Security Enhancement Act of 2006, HR 4880. The amendment was offered by Ranking Democrat on the Committee, Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY). An identical amendment was defeated by Republicans in a House Homeland Security Subcommittee last week. Following is Clyburn’s statement:

"This is an about-face for Republicans, but it’s about time. Last week in the Homeland Security Committee, Republicans were against port security; and today, one week after Democrats unveiled our Real Security Agenda, they’re for it. Port security has been ignored since 9/11 by this President and his rubber-stamp Congress. They have talked about making America safe, but have done very little to keep that promise to the American people. One hundred percent scanning of cargo is critical to this nation’s security and a hallmark of our Real Security agenda. Since 9/11, Democrats have promoted measures to protect our ports and we will continue to lead the way in making America safe. I hope the President and the House Republican Leadership will look seriously at other planks of the Democrat’s Real Security Agenda, and finally get serious about protecting our homeland."

http://www.dems.gov/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={449BBE79-704A-423C-AF88-6D9DF9D989D8}&DE={A4F784BD-5B11-4987-8A7B-256EAA5C7F79}

[AuntiBush]

1. Terra / 911 * Filled us w/major fears for over 5 years and counting

Is it any wonder people have absolutely no trust in this adm and major MIHOP/LIHOP questions?

[NanceGreggs]

2. yeah, bring THAT on!!!!!!!!!!

"REPUBLICANS ABOUT-FACE ON PORT SECURITY, SUPPORT 100 PERCENT CARGO SCREENING AFTER THEY OPPOSED IT."

That will sure play well as a 'flip-flopper' ad in the upcoming election cycle, won't it?

I couldn't be happier with the GOP position on literally EVERYTHING these days. Every time they open their mouths, another few thousand Republican voters decide they're voting Democratic in November.