Kendrick Meek: “Let me just say this, Ms. Wasserman Schultz. Democrats on this side of the aisle have great credibility when it comes to…”

“Let me just say this, Ms. Wasserman Schultz. Democrats on this side of the aisle have great credibility when it comes to homeland security. Great credibility. I am on the Homeland Security Committee. We asked the Department of Homeland Security. Madam Speaker, we brought the President and the Republican majority along, kicking and fighting, not to do it. Now, we did it, but they do not want to provide the oversight, when I am saying the Republican majority. I just want to mention a few things now that we are getting into this subject, because I want to put what we are doing first versus what they are not doing. September 29, during a meeting of House and Senate conferees, Democratic Congressmen Obey and Sabo and Senator Byrd offered an amendment to increase funding for port container security by $300 million. House conferees defeated the amendment on party-line votes. 2004, October 7. During also a House and Senate conference committee, the same Democratic Members offered an amendment to increase and enhance funding by $150 million. Republicans defeated it on a party- line vote. On June 18, 2004, Democrats supported the same amendment to increase port and container security by $400 million, because this is what the Coast Guard is calling for, Mr. Delahunt.”