Robin Carnahan: “the Bush administration's deal with the United Arab Emirates showed the American people again that securing our ports is…”

“the Bush administration's deal with the United Arab Emirates showed the American people again that securing our ports is not their priority. The bipartisan and unanimous 9/11 Commission report clearly showed the need for increased security for our Nation's ports. Now 4 years after 9/11, less than 10 percent of the 9 million containers entering our ports are ever screened. Even worse, Republicans in this House have fought Democratic efforts to increase port security funding. In 2003, this House voted to kill a Democratic amendment to add $250 million for port security grants; then again, in 2005, against a Democratic proposal calling for an additional $400 million in funding for port security. For the record, let me say, my constituents in St. Louis, Jefferson County, and Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, understand right from wrong. They, like all Americans, demand action from this Congress that is long overdue, and they will not go along with any deal compromising our national security. The American people have every right to be outraged with the administration's approval of the UAE port deal. It is time the people's House make the security of our Nation's ports a priority. ____________________”