Bob Menendez: “I am pleased my Republican colleagues have joined my call to strengthen security at our ports by offering this amendment…”

“I am pleased my Republican colleagues have joined my call to strengthen security at our ports by offering this amendment to increase port security funding by $978 million. Last week our colleagues voted down in the Budget Committee, on party lines, my amendment to increase port security funding by $965 million. So I am glad our colleagues are about to vote for port security funding right after they voted against it last week. We know our ports are one of the weakest links in our Nation's homeland security system, and it is crucial that this Nation act to make them more secure before a terrorist attack, not after. I applaud the increased funding for the Coast Guard in this amendment. I would like this body to continue to work on how we allocate the money this amendment provides, so we can increase the number of containers that are actually scanned or inspected before they enter the country. I hope we will have the opportunity to do so in conference. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time of the Senator has expired. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The yeas and nays have been ordered, and the clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. The following Senator was necessarily absent: the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. Coleman). Further, if present and voting, the Senator from Minnesota (Mr. Coleman) would have voted ``yea.''”