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.
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