Bart Stupak: “the United Arab Emirates port deal is nothing new from the Bush administration. Over the past 5 years, President Bush…”

“the United Arab Emirates port deal is nothing new from the Bush administration. Over the past 5 years, President Bush has mastered back-room deals and secrecy, but now his administration's actions are threatening our homeland security. The United Arab Emirates deal was approved by the Bush administration despite national security concerns raised by both the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Coast Guard. The bipartisan 9/11 Commission has identified America's seaports as particularly vulnerable to attacks because only 6 percent of all cargo containers are screened. The world's busiest port, Hong Kong, can screen 100 percent of their containers. Why can we not do it here at home? The Bush administration shares responsibility with Republicans here in Congress for the vulnerabilities that now exist at our ports. Democrats listened to the Coast Guard and we listened to the 9/11 Commission, and we tried to increase funding for port security. House Republicans have opposed these efforts despite the fact the Coast Guard says they need $4.6 billion over the next 10 years to properly secure our ports. Madam Speaker, Republican rhetoric on homeland security is not enough. It is time for action. Put Democrats in charge, and we will get 100 percent container inspection, and we will have real port security in this country. ____________________”