House Votes ‘No’ on Ports — ‘Yes’ Is Likely on Star Wars
The House just voted down an amendment that would have provided $1.25 billion for port inspections and disaster preparedness. Meanwhile, as Think Progress points out, the Bush budget contains an increase of $1.7 billion for a Star Wars-esque missile defense program--which doesn't even work. May the Force be with us.
Truthdig says:
The House just voted down an amendment that would have provided $1.25 billion for port inspections and disaster preparedness. Meanwhile, as Think Progress points out, the Bush budget contains an increase of $1.7 billion for a Star Wars-esque missile defense program–which doesn’t even work.
May the Force be with us.
Think Progress:
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.
If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.
Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.
Support Truthdig
Environment
More than half of discretionary spending goes to the military. Only a tiny fraction addresses the most urgent threat to our security.
Military
A new budget loophole will send Pentagon spending soaring even higher.
Politics
House GOP says Pentagon budget is safe—but social security and Medicare aren't.
The budget proposal offers a terrifying preview of what we can expect from Trump if he wins another four years in office.
Deficits averaging 4.8% of GDP are foreseen over the course of the coming decade; experts say anything above 3% is unsustainable.
It gives Trump steady funding for his U.S.-Mexico border fence while Democrats win sweeping spending increases on domestic programs.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.