Pelosi: 'Administration and Republican Congress Still Resisting Change on Port Security'

Pelosi: 'Administration and Republican Congress Still Resisting Change on Port Security'

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Washington, D.C. - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined other House Democratic leaders at a press stakeout this morning after the Democratic Caucus meeting to discuss port security. Below are Pelosi's remarks:

"All of the experts on Homeland Security say that the single biggest threat to homeland security is a container with a radioactive bomb coming into our ports. I remind you that when a container comes into our ports, it doesn't stop there. It's loaded onto a train or a truck and goes into the heartland of America.

"There are two things that experts have said about port security: First, the radioactive bomb. We have to get the fissile material at its source so it doesn't spread among terrorists, and we haven't done that. Secondly, we must have 100 percent screening of containers coming into our ports, and that screening has to take place long before it gets near our country, in the port of origin.

"Democrats have a plan to address existing security weaknesses at our ports and establish a comprehensive strategy for homeland security. Congressmen Jerry Nadler and Jim Oberstar have introduced legislation that would require 100 percent of the containers entering our ports, instead of the current 6 percent, to be screened long before they reach our shores.

"We have this initiative. I don't understand why the Republicans cannot join us. It is important for the safety of the American people.

"Even though the Dubai port deal blew the lid off the myth of security on the initiatives of this Administration and the Republican Congress, they are still resisting change.

"Just last week, Congressman Martin Sabo, the senior Member on the Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, proposed an amendment that said any port deal must be subjected to a 45-day review and an up-or-down vote by the Congress of the United States. That was rejected along party lines by the Republicans. Mr. Sabo also called for $3.5 billion more for Homeland Security, $1.5 billion which would go directly to securing our ports. These amendments were rejected along party lines.

"The American people want us to make them safe. They think an investment in security is a good investment for our safety, our economy, and for the spread of commerce.

"Democrats want to bring this to the floor immediately. In two terminals in Hong Kong, 100 percent of 11 million containers a year are screened. We should accept nothing less for the safety of the American people."

http://www.house.gov/pelosi/press/releases/March06/PortStatement.html