Sen. Dodd, D-Conn., slashed aviation security funding for pet constituency By: Mark Hemingway Commentary Staff Writer 12/28/09 12:24 PM EST
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, for a series of votes.
Now that our attention is focused on airline security measures thanks to the failed airline attack on Christmas Day, it's worth mentioning that one senator took money away from aviation security to line the pockets of a constituency that supported his presidential campaign in a big way.
Back in July, Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., proposed an amendment reducing aviation security appropriations by $4.5 million in favor of firefighter grants -- a notoriously inneffective program. In fact, the money was specifically "for screening operations and the amount for explosives detection systems." The amendment was also sponsored by Sen. Lieberman, D-Conn., and Sen. Carper, D-Del., but Dodd deserves to be singled out here because the firefighters union is a pet constituency of his. In 2007 he campaigned all through Iowa with the firefighters union. It was one of the few distinguishable features of Dodd's ill-fated presidential bid.
The text of the amendment is below:
(Purpose: To provide additional funds for FIRE grants under section 33 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974)
On page 77, between lines 16 and 17, insert the following:
SEC. X (a) The amount appropriated under the heading "firefighter assistance grants'' under the heading "Federal Emergency Management Agency'' under by title III for necessary expenses for programs authorized by the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 is increased by $10,000,000 for necessary expenses to carry out the programs authorized under section 33 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 2229).
(b) The total amount of appropriations under the heading "Aviation Security'' under the heading "Transportation Security Administration'' under title II, the amount for screening operations and the amount for explosives detection systems under the first proviso under that heading, and the amount for the purchase and installation of explosives detection systems under the second proviso under that heading are reduced by $4,500,000.
(c) From the unobligated balances of amounts appropriated before the date of enactment of this Act for the appropriations account under the heading "state and local programs'' under the heading "Federal Emergency Management Agency'' for "Trucking Industry Security Grants'', $5,500,000 are rescinded
Perhaps the greatest measure of Obama's declining support is that just 50% of voters now say they prefer having him as President to George W. Bush, with 44% saying they'd rather have his predecessor. Given the horrendous approval ratings Bush showed during his final term that's somewhat of a surprise and an indication that voters are increasingly placing the blame on Obama for the country's difficulties instead of giving him space because of the tough situation he inherited. The closeness in the Obama/Bush numbers also has implications for the 2010 elections. Using the Bush card may not be particularly effective for Democrats anymore, which is good news generally for Republicans and especially ones like Rob Portman who are running for office and have close ties to the former President.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Sen. Dodd, D-Conn., slashed aviation security funding for pet constituency By: Mark Hemingway Commentary Staff Writer 12/28/09 12:24 PM EST
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, for a series of votes.
Now that our attention is focused on airline security measures thanks to the failed airline attack on Christmas Day, it's worth mentioning that one senator took money away from aviation security to line the pockets of a constituency that supported his presidential campaign in a big way.
Back in July, Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., proposed an amendment reducing aviation security appropriations by $4.5 million in favor of firefighter grants -- a notoriously inneffective program. In fact, the money was specifically "for screening operations and the amount for explosives detection systems." The amendment was also sponsored by Sen. Lieberman, D-Conn., and Sen. Carper, D-Del., but Dodd deserves to be singled out here because the firefighters union is a pet constituency of his. In 2007 he campaigned all through Iowa with the firefighters union. It was one of the few distinguishable features of Dodd's ill-fated presidential bid.
The text of the amendment is below:
(Purpose: To provide additional funds for FIRE grants under section 33 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974)
On page 77, between lines 16 and 17, insert the following:
SEC. X (a) The amount appropriated under the heading "firefighter assistance grants'' under the heading "Federal Emergency Management Agency'' under by title III for necessary expenses for programs authorized by the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 is increased by $10,000,000 for necessary expenses to carry out the programs authorized under section 33 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 2229).
(b) The total amount of appropriations under the heading "Aviation Security'' under the heading "Transportation Security Administration'' under title II, the amount for screening operations and the amount for explosives detection systems under the first proviso under that heading, and the amount for the purchase and installation of explosives detection systems under the second proviso under that heading are reduced by $4,500,000.
(c) From the unobligated balances of amounts appropriated before the date of enactment of this Act for the appropriations account under the heading "state and local programs'' under the heading "Federal Emergency Management Agency'' for "Trucking Industry Security Grants'', $5,500,000 are rescinded
Seriously!! Do you ever report reality?
In Mar 2006 210 GOP Representatives defeated a Dem sponsored $1.4B Port security amendment!!
Just THIS YEAR:
108 House Republicans voted against the final conference report of the 2010 appropriation bill for the Department of Homeland Security, which included funding for explosives detection systems and other aviation security measures.
They included Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), Hoekstra and a who’s who of big-name House Republicans: Reps. Mike Pence, Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Joe Wilson (R-SC).
The conference bill included more than $4 billion for "screening operations," including $1.1 billion in funding for explosives detection systems, with $778 million intended for buying and installing the systems.
But yeah, keep the ignorant partisanship going by addressing a $4M blip associated with Dodd.. -
how many times has the jockey fallen off and the horse still knows where to go, and i can recall plenty of times when the jockeyless horse lead and won.
the real question is - if the govt had done nothing (no tarp, stimulus, cash for clunkers, bailouts, etc.) and simply focused on strengthening our nation, reducing our debt, and let free market capitalism sort everything out would we better or worse.
If that was the only blip that Dodd has had one might over look it but he has been involved in shady house buying deals as well as being one of the principle members of a committee that oversees the operations of Freddie and Fannie and we all know what happened there.
If that was the only blip that Dodd has had one might over look it but he has been involved in shady house buying deals as well as being one of the principle members of a committee that oversees the operations of Freddie and Fannie and we all know what happened there.
Ok but apparently that wasn't the point of the original post - which is what I commented on
both sides of the line have problems, with repeated issues of troubling behavior by elected officials. the country needs a real leader and real reform. someone that can actually call a terrorist a terrorist and not just an "isolated extremist"
they all use other peoples money for kickbacks, payoffs, bribes, "personal" expenses whatever you want to call it. enough is enough
Yeah -a stupid remark - like taking a bad driver from behind the wheel - and keep going with no on e stearing-
Got that wrong somebody. We want to take the bad drivers out from behind the wheel and replace them with new! THAT is the only way they listen to the people! We aren't looking to vote them out and leave their seat empty. We are looking to vote them out and vote new in.
The hard part is finding viable, new, conservative candidates!!! But we still have plenty of time and the tea party/independent movement is active nationwide.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
We are pioneering Americans......and the major parties need to go......we have a constitution as our foundation and who lot of new technology on which to build.....both Dems and Reps are status quo 'brothers/sisters'......they all eat at the same trough and the systems in place guide the sheeple to fill the troughs and the Dems and Reps have a paved road in which to get there to stuff their faces and feed their peasants some kind of crumbs.....
.....here's the deal......we need to stop relying on the lords for the crumbs, as if it is a right-----
......"ye shall live as kings and die like men"....... ......"all men are created equal"........
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