Waiving Points Of Order Against Conference Report On H.R. 4954, Safe Port Act
WAIVING POINTS OF ORDER AGAINST CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4954, SAFE PORT ACT -- (House of Representatives - September 29, 2006)
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule on H.R. 4954, the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006.
This rule is furtherance of a process that can be summed up in two words--a joke.
After weeks of negotiations, Republicans refused to share the final conference report on legislation that was supposed to be bipartisan.
Indeed, this is legislation that builds on what my colleague Loretta Sanchez did last Congress and that Jane Harman took up this Congress.
Last night at 7:30, a conference report meeting was called and it was missing the key ingredient--a conference report.
After opening statements, Chairman PETER KING closed the meeting, telling us it was his intention ``that amendments would be offered.''
And, at 11:30 last night, we finally received the report with a very clear P.S. from Mr. King--there would be no amendments offered.
His actions contradicted the will of this House, which voted yesterday 281-140 to instruct conferees to consider specific issues that the amendments to be offered would have covered.
Now, the Committee on Homeland Security has been a bipartisan committee to date. These questionable processes undermine our homeland security efforts--all in the name of politics.
I know the elections are important to my colleagues across the aisle but they should not take precedent over America's homeland security efforts.
Adding even more insult to the process, the Republicans have attached internet gambling to the port security bill.
Now, Mr. Speaker, I ask someone to explain to me how prohibiting internet gambling is more important to our homeland security than making our trains, subways, and buses safe?
You will hear excuses about why we can't do mass transit and rail security and that we will ``take it up soon.''
When?
Madrid happened in 2004. London happened in 2005. Mumbai happened only a few months ago.
Are we waiting for New York City's Long Island Railroad to be attacked to pass sensible security for trains?
If so, at least we'll have comfort in knowing that Americans can't bet on the Superbowl online.
Now, I have signed on to the conference report because there are good things, but they aren't enough.
Frankly, this body can and should do better. We need to put America's security first and foremost before politics.
I urge all Members to oppose the rule.
* [End Insert]
The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Florida is as follows:
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
http://thomas.loc.gov/