It appears the Republican Party just keeps getting weaker and weaker when comes to securing our nation.Case in point, yesterday the Republicans blocked Democratic efforts that would add scrutiny to any foreign investments as well as add more funding for our nation's port security.
ABC News has more on the story:
"Republicans blocked a Democratic effort Wednesday to force House votes on expanding government scrutiny of foreign investments, the latest fallout from a Dubai-owned company's failed bid to run some U.S. port operations."
"Democrats also planned to push for more port security money while criticizing Republicans on the issue."
"If the Republicans are now deciding to get on board, then we welcome them, because for so long they have been on a sinking ship, basically saying that our ports are secure," said Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, lead Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee."
"In both the House and Senate, Democrats have long pushed for more money for ports only to have the Republican-controlled Congress reject their efforts, largely along party lines.
House Democrats are making another attempt this week now that the issue is fresh in lawmakers' minds because of the DP World deal.
They are expected to try to attach legislation boosting money for cargo inspections and other security measures at U.S. ports to the $91 billion bill that pays for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and rebuilding efforts in the Hurricane Katrina-battered Gulf Coast.
By its procedural vote Wednesday, the House prevented Rep. Martin Sabo, D-Minn., from offering an amendment that would require an intensive national security review for all transactions that could result in foreign control of any person engaged in interstate commerce. Currently, a multi-agency government panel decides whether applications for foreign investments deserve increased scrutiny, and few do.
Republicans also turned back a Democratic effort to offer an amendment to create a special committee to investigate how money for wars and hurricane recovery has been spent."
The GOP has really shown their true colors on securing our nation over the past few weeks.
First, the President tried to outsource our national security by turning over our ports to a foreign government with terrorist ties and was backed by people like Bob Corker.
And now the Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to block measures that would further enhance security in our nation.
Congressman Ford on the other hand has been at the forefront of the fight to secure our nation.
Whether it was writing an op-ed, running television ads, or going on a fact finding mission (to the Port of Miami nonetheless), Congressman Ford did it all in the name of securing America.
Congressman Ford is also running internet ads that say, "20,000 cargo containers go uninspected daily. ONE dirty bomb would change the world. The Administration does nothing. Harold Ford, Jr believes we need 100% inspection. 20,000 reasons why he should be TN's next Senator."
While the President and the GOP might not think securing our nation is a top priority, Congressman Ford clearly does.
That is why he will be our state's next U.S. Senator.
71 Days
Days of Congressional Inaction on Ethics
Above is the number of days that have passed since Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to bribing Congressman.
It is also the number of days in which Congress has failed to pass an ethics reform bill that would limit private travel, ski and golf junkets, and would call for a full disclosure of expenses by lobbyists on members of Congress.
It is time for Congress to step up and pass an ethics reform bill that would do all of the above. In addition, it is time to end the pork barrel spending system as we know it and establish an independent ethics commission that would review ethics complaints against members of Congress.
I am proud Congressman Harold Ford Jr. is fighting for that reform!
Read Congressman Ford's call for reform of the House rules here!
