News

[ProSense]

Kerry news here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2497359&mesg_id=2497359

[TayTay]

1. Wow! Great, great catch.

I hope the Senator does a news conference or public appearance (okay, speech on the Senate floor) that talks about this. I remember the debate earlier in the year in which the Senators from the smaller states blocked this from happening. This is not only real news, but a superb end-run around the forces that are blocking money from going to the ports that should be getting it.

Great catch ProSense. This is wonderful news! (I am so proud of my Senator!)

[ProSense]

2. It's amazing!

After raising the issue about the 95% uninspected rate, Kerry orders a reports to assess progress last October, five months before this port deal brings the issue into full focus.

[TayTay]

3. Well, he, and his hard working staff

are wicked, wicked smaht. Really, honestly and truly, wicked smaht. I kid you not.

[karynnj]

8. Accountability

This shows Kerry's insistance on accountability is essential. I hope he gets the credit for insisting on it. The SBA hearing that Tay posted had him doing this as well. The candidate answered that he would investigate fraud. Kerry immediately pointed out that oversight of the SBA was more critical. Kerry seems appalled that he concerned mostly with insuring that there was no fraud on the part of the recipients.

[TayTay]

9. That's the Rethugs way

It's not that the government is being starved of money and purpose, it's that those Welfare Queens with Cadillacs are frauding us ordinary 'muricans.

Sigh!

[karynnj]

10. Thanks for giving us the link to that hearing

Kerry as usual was great. I hope this guy will do the oversight needed - if only because he knows Kerry's staff will keep an eye on what he is doing and he will have to face Kerry grilling him.

[karynnj]

4. Kerry really needs to speak about this

though I assume he is waiting for the appropriate additional information and time. He may really be about the only one in exactly the right position.

I assme this was the result of the amendment that Kerry got passed listed in GV's list of Democratic amendments. (Kerry's appeared to be the only one passed.)

GV's list:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=74009&mesg_id=74118

[ProSense]

5. Port deal affects Boston

Controversial Port Deal May Affect Boston
Black Falcon, Moran Terminals Could Be Involved

POSTED: 6:46 am EST March 7, 2006
UPDATED: 6:51 am EST March 7, 2006

BOSTON -- The controversial port deal with an Arab company will affect more American seaports than first reported, including Boston Harbor.

A review by the Associated Press found that DP World of Dubai would be in charge of significant operations at six U.S. ports and would have a lesser role in 16 others, including the operation of the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal in Boston.

more...

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/7770752/detail.html?rss=bos&psp=news

Posted in the DP-P thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2497359&mesg_id=2498406

[Mass]

6. Three bills he sponsored or cosponsored today

S.2370 : A bill to promote the development of democratic institutions in areas under the administrative control of the Palestinian Authority, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen McConnell, Mitch (introduced 3/6/2006) Cosponsors (19)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(weird bill, as the cosponsors include people from Allen to Boxer, but not Coleman or Santorum).

4. S.2369 : A bill to require a more reasonable period for delayed-notice search warrants, to provide enhanced judicial review of FISA orders and national security letters, to require an enhanced factual basis for a FISA order, and to create national security letter sunset provisions.
Sponsor: Sen Specter, Arlen (introduced 3/6/2006) Cosponsors (11)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

(Fix the Patriot Act Bill).

7. S.2372 : A bill to amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for the expedited consideration of certain proposed cancellations of appropriations, new direct spending, and limited tax benefits.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 3/6/2006) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Budget
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2006 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.

(line item veto)

[TayTay]

7. This Ports Security report comes out today

May we expect a press conference and Senate floor speech on this, given that it is one of Sen. Kerry's core issues and because of the timeliness of this issue.

(I am watching a hearing on USAID, which, btw just put out an ad to entice people to work in Iraq.)

If someone see something, can you post?

Report questions Homeland Security's port projects
03-07-2006
By By LIZ SIDOTI

WASHINGTON_The Homeland Security Department still spends money on U.S. port projects that aren't considered national security priorities even though it has made some corrections, a new report says.

In a report to be made public Tuesday, Homeland Security Inspector General Richard L. Skinner praises the agency for overhauling the Port Security Grant Program in 2005 to award money based on risk and to make only the 66 most vulnerable ports eligible.

However, Skinner said, the agency still has not entirely fixed the problems that led the his office in January 2005 to issue a dozen recommendations for improving design, management and oversight of the program.

SNIP

Although dated February 2006, Skinner's report is being made public Tuesday. The Associated Press obtained an advanced copy.

In October, Congress, at the behest of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., ordered a review of the steps the agency has taken to comply with recommendations in the January 2005 report.

"It's been more than four years since 9/11, and the government still can't get port security right," Kerry said in a statement.