President Bush: Why Have You Cut Funds for Port of Miami?
President Bush: Why Have You Cut Funds For Port of Miami?
Economy of South Florida jeopardized by under funded security of our ports
Today President Bush used the backdrop of the Port of Miami for his visit to South Florida, however, his record of failure when it comes to funding port and homeland security is something he should hide from.
"Someone needs to point out to the President that his inability to adequately fund port security puts the entire economy of South Florida in jeopardy," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "An incident at the Port of Miami, no matter how small, would have a devastating effect on South Florida's economy which is heavily dependent upon the 3.6 million cruise passengers and 9.5 million tons of cargo that flow through the Port of Miami each year."
"Even though this Administration talks tough on terror, our President's fiscal year 2007 budget ELIMINATES port security grants. Rather than ensuring the security of our ports, President Bush has proposed a new $600 million Targeted Infrastructure Protection Program. Ports and ferries would be forced to compete with railroads, highways and others for scarce security funding."
Key facts about port security:
· U.S. Ports handle more than 95 percent of our foreign trade.
· A weapon of mass destruction detonated in a port container could cause tremendous casualties, and an estimated economic loss ranging from $58 billion to $1 trillion.
· The 9/11 Commission concluded that terrorists have the "opportunity to do harm as great or greater in maritime and surface transportation" than the 9/11 attacks.
What are the problems with America's port security?:
· Only 6% of containers entering our ports are inspected by the Dept. of Homeland Security/Coast Guard.
· In the last four years, Congress has only appropriated $910 million for port security, while the Coast Guard says it needs nearly 10 times that amount.
· In December, the 9/11 Commission gave checked bag and cargo screening, including cargo screening at ports, a grade of "D." A Democratic amendment for an additional $722 million in funding for port security was rejected (4/3/2003)
· For the past two years, President Bush has proposed to eliminate port security grants by rolling them into a larger program - making port security compete for funding against rail and mass transit. (President's Budget, fiscal year 2006 and 2007).
"Since 9/11 we have committed approximately $910 million toward port security while spending 18 times that amount on aviation security," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "While aviation security is important, 95 percent of our foreign trade is handled by U.S. ports. This neglect of our nation's port security cannot be allowed to continue."
http://www.house.gov/list/press/fl20_schultz/BushMiami.html