DENNIS A. CARDOZA: “when the Bush administration learned that the American people wanted to allow the United Arab Emirates to operate U.S.…”

“when the Bush administration learned that the American people wanted to allow the United Arab Emirates to operate U.S. ports, they were outraged. That outrage should be extended to this administration's pathetic record on securing our ports and our coastlines. Since September 11th, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Republican Congress has shortchanged America's seaports by more than $4 billion in security improvements. It is because of this serious lack of funding that only 6 percent of the cargo coming into our ports is ever checked. Port security is so bad that in December, the 9/11 Commission gave this administration a grade of D for checked baggage and cargo screening. House Democrats have tried to increase port security funding on this House floor four times over the last 4 years, and House Republicans have defeated our efforts every single time. They are not through. Once again this year President Bush is proposing eliminating port security grants by rolling them into the larger program. This forces port officials to compete for funding against rail and mass transit programs. It's time that Republicans wake up and see the serious threat that is existing at our port facilities in America. ____________________”