John Kerry Works to Secure America's Ports

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry Works to Secure America's Ports
12 July 2005



Senator John Kerry will offer an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill today that aims at fixing gaping holes in the agency's work to secure America's ports.

"Almost four years after September 11th, our port security is in alarming shape, and the attacks on soft targets in London are a chilling reminder why there is no time to wait. The Administration has been asleep at the switch while shipload after shipload of cargo slips into our ports uninspected. We've spent more on the Capitol Visitors' Center than on the Port Security Grant Program. The Department of Homeland Security's own Inspector General said that only a fraction of the money awarded for port security grants has actually been spent, and much of what has been spent has been badly mismanaged. We have to fix this mess, fix it right away, and hold the administration accountable for getting this right," said Senator Kerry.

MORE - http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=1242

[jillan]

1. did he have any luck with it?

I have been at work all day.

Kerry has been harping on this for as long as I have been listening.

[globalvillage]

2. Yes, he did.

But according to Clinton, he hasn't been.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=273x34239

Did I mention I'm really pissed at Bill?
:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[whometense]

4. You and me both.

I defended him all through the Clinton Wars, but now I frankly have no use for him.

When the repugs were out to massacre him there was no choice but to stand by him. But now that's over and I can look at him I tell you I don't like what I see. He's too clever by half, too slick, too full of himself.

And he likes * junior AND senior. Sorry. Can't go there.

[paulk]

3. is there any where to find out what the

Port Security Grant Program actually is? What the money is supposed to be spent on?

Does Kerry have any specific plans regarding port security?

This is something that interests me since I've had containers shipped to the US.

[MH1]

5. Here's some ideas

1) jiacinto at dkos posted a long list of links including CRS and GAO reports about Port Security. (not specifically the Port Security Grant Program, but there's an excellent chance it's covered):
http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2005/7/12/184630/840/25#25

2) Google on Port Security Grant Program pulls up this site:
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mp/GMPWebpages/grant.shtml

3) A quick search of the U.S. Code brings up 46 USC Sec. 70107 .
I think this is what JK's amendment is applicable to - normally I'd check it out more thoroughly, but it's kind of late for me.

So that's a start.

If you read JK's statement (http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/record.cfm?id=240479& and the link in the OP) you'll see that the amendment is to implement some improvements to the grant program, to address shortcomings that were found by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General.

[paulk]

6. thanks

don't have time to research today - I'm too busy dealing with the half container that arrived two weeks ago...

definately will read your links, though.