Conference Report on H.R. 5441, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007

CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 5441, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 -- (House of Representatives - September 29, 2006)

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Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, the conference report we are considering today on the House floor fails to close dangerous homeland security loopholes that continue to put Americans at risk more than 5 years after the 9/11 attacks.

This bill fails to include strong chemical security language that had been agreed to, on a bipartisan basis, in the Homeland Security Committee.

But Republicans have caved to the wishes of their allies in the chemical industry by crafting weak provisions that do not provide the security safeguards that are urgently needed to protect Americans.

The fact is, there are nightclubs in New York City that are harder to get into than some of our chemical plants. This bill fails to fix the problem.

This bill also does not contain a mandate that all of the cargo on passenger planes be screened before it is placed onboard.

An amendment I offered to require 100 percent cargo screening on passenger planes passed the House overwhelmingly three years ago as part of the Department of Homeland Security's spending bill. But the Bush administration ensured that the provision was deleted from the final version of the bill, and Republicans have blocked it ever since.

In addition, this bill fails to provide the resources needed to ensure that our airports have the equipment needed to detect explosives that may be hidden in bags bound for airliners.

Earlier this month, a nonpartisan report developed by experts from air carriers, airport operators, the Federal Government and contractors recommended that Congress should ``continue Federal appropriations of at least $435 million for purchase and installation of Explosive Detection Systems, escalating annually.''

And what have Republicans in Congress decided is the appropriate funding level for the purchase and installation of explosive detection equipment at airports? About $150 million, or roughly one-third the amount recommended by the experts.

This is another example of Republicans nickel-and-diming homeland security while writing a blank check for the War in Iraq.

The foiled London bombing plot last month shined a light on the Bush administration's bungling of the research, development and deployment of systems that can detect liquid explosives at airports.

In its final report card, the 9/11 Commission gave the Federal Government's checked bag screening capabilities a ``D'' and directed that ``The TSA should expedite the installation of advanced (in-line) baggage screening equipment.'' But almost a year later, we're still far behind where we need to be.

This bill also does not address another aviation security weakness that leaves us vulnerable to a terrorist attack.

Specifically, the bill keeps in place an artificial cap that Republicans have placed on the number of airport screeners that can be hired. This is creating security challenges at our airports, as passenger traffic increases, and workers are expected to be on guard for a growing array of threats.

According to the bipartisan report released earlier this month ``without adequate capital investment, screener staffing levels would have to increase significantly to maintain 100% electronic screening.''

But we currently have the worst of both worlds: Republicans refuse to invest the needed funds in explosive detection equipment while they also cap the number of screeners regardless of security needs. This is a dangerous, wrong-headed policy that puts Americans at risk.

This bill also fails to sufficiently fund the Metropolitan Medical Response System, a vital program designed to limit casualties in the event of a major emergency, such as a nuclear attack or avian flu outbreak.

Clearly, our country needs a New Direction to ensure that security loopholes are closed and Americans are protected from terrorists determined to inflict another devastating attack on our country.

Republicans continue to ignore glaring loopholes such as porous security safeguards at chemical plants, failure to scan all the cargo on passenger planes, flawed checkpoint screening equipment, and the lack of enough TSA screeners.

As a result, Republicans are providing our nation with homeland insecurity, rather than the real security that Americans deserve.

I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill.

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