June 25, 2003
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today supported an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would have added almost $400 million for port security grants. The amendment, which was sponsored by Congressman David Obey (D-WI), Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, called for paying for the grants by cutting the average tax break for millionaires under the Bush tax cut plan from $88,326 to $83,326.
The Republican Homeland Security bill includes only $100 million for port security grants, even though the U.S. Coast Guard estimates that it needs approximately $4 billion more for port security improvements than has been appropriated since September 11, 2001. Only $463 million has been appropriated for port security grants since September 11th, even though Republicans have appropriated billions of dollars for military equipment and other homeland security measures.
“The Republicans continue to tell us that we should make our homeland safer, yet their rhetoric is empty,” said Lee. “The reality is that our ports are vulnerable to terrorist attacks. In my district, the Port of Oakland is one of our greatest economic engines, and one of the most vulnerable ports in the country.”
“Under the Republican plan, the safety of the people working there and the economic security of our region are being compromised so that millionaires can enjoy a few extra thousand dollars. Clearly, Republicans are more interested in protecting the pocketbooks of millionaires than in protecting the welfare of hardworking Americans.”
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Supports Amendment to Increase Port Security
Measure would have been paid for by reducing millionaires’ average tax breaks by $5000
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today supported an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would have added almost $400 million for port security grants. The amendment, which was sponsored by Congressman David Obey (D-WI), Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, called for paying for the grants by cutting the average tax break for millionaires under the Bush tax cut plan from $88,326 to $83,326.
The Republican Homeland Security bill includes only $100 million for port security grants, even though the U.S. Coast Guard estimates that it needs approximately $4 billion more for port security improvements than has been appropriated since September 11, 2001. Only $463 million has been appropriated for port security grants since September 11th, even though Republicans have appropriated billions of dollars for military equipment and other homeland security measures.
“The Republicans continue to tell us that we should make our homeland safer, yet their rhetoric is empty,” said Lee. “The reality is that our ports are vulnerable to terrorist attacks. In my district, the Port of Oakland is one of our greatest economic engines, and one of the most vulnerable ports in the country.”
“Under the Republican plan, the safety of the people working there and the economic security of our region are being compromised so that millionaires can enjoy a few extra thousand dollars. Clearly, Republicans are more interested in protecting the pocketbooks of millionaires than in protecting the welfare of hardworking Americans.”
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