[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 25 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
REPUBLICANS' FAILURES IN SECURING PORTS: FAILURES GO BEYOND DUBAI PORTS 
                                 WORLD

  (Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, 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.

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