Thad Cochran: “this amendment is offered to increase funding for port security grants. Specifically, it would increase the authority…”

“this amendment is offered to increase funding for port security grants. Specifically, it would increase the authority for spending in the bill by $300 million. Senators should know the bill already contains funding for port security grants in the amount of $150 million, and since fiscal year 2002 we have provided funding for this program of almost $500 million, specifically for port security grants. A lot of progress has been made to upgrade the quality of our detection processes. We have seen money going for training and equipping of port security officials. We are making important and constructive changes in procedures to help ensure that we can identify suspicious activity around the ports of the country. The Coast Guard is involved, of course. As we have talked about earlier today, we are providing for modernizing the fleet of the Coast Guard and doing other things that help assure that across our country we are going to be able to enjoy a safer and more secure environment. On Friday, September 10, all of the funds that were appropriated for 2004, the current fiscal year, $50 million in grants, were awarded. So the administration is working expeditiously to carry out the directives of the Congress in awarding these funds. I may point out that the President's request for this particular grant program for this next fiscal year was only $46 million.”