Port Deal and Katrina Report Expose Bush 'Wait and See' Approach to National Security, Says Democratic National Committee
Posted on: Friday, 24 February 2006, 15:00 CST
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 /U.S. Newswire/ -- After a week where President Bush was forced to explain a controversial port deal and the failed response to Hurricane Katrina, Americans were reminded that this Administration has failed to take aggressive action to prepare the country against potential threats to our national security.
Over the past five years, Democrats have been proposing new measures to keep our ports safe, while Republicans have routinely voted against port security measures. Since 9/11, Democrats have sought to invest in improving the security of America's ports. Democrats have warned that we should follow the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, while the Bush Administration and Washington Republicans stubbornly fought the creation of the commission and later ignored their advice.
Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney issued the following statement on President Bush's failed policies on port security:
"After bungling the response to Hurricane Katrina, receiving failing grades on national preparedness by the 9/11 Commission, and now cutting corners on our port security, President Bush was asleep at the wheel -- even when they saw the warning signs in advance. The 9/11 Commission issued recommendations to the Bush Administration last year after giving failing grades on national preparedness, and they have ignored them. Our ports, chemical plants, and cities remain vulnerable. Democrats believe we can't have a 'wait and see' attitude to our national security. Homeland security begins with hometown security, that's why Democrats are leading the way to close the gaps in our nation's security." Bush Initially Opposed 9/11 Commission. President Bush initially opposed an independent inquiry into 9/11, arguing it would duplicate a probe conducted by Congress. In July 2002, his Administration issued a "statement of policy" that read "the Administration would oppose an amendment that would create a new commission to conduct a similar review (to Congress's investigation)." (Statement of Administration Policy, Executive Office of the President, 7/24/02; Los Angeles Times, 11/28/02)
9/11 Commission Gave Cargo Inspection a D. In a December 2005 report, the 9/11 Commission gave a grade of "D" to the nation's "checked bag and cargo screening." The report wrote, "Improvements here have not been made a priority by the Congress or the administration." (http://www.9-11pdp.org/press/2005-12- 05_report.pdf)
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Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, http://www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
http://www.usnewswire.com
Source: U.S. Newswire
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