Congressman Thompson Pushes Port Funding

Congressman Thompson Pushes Port Funding
Thursday, February 17, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary James Loy on funding for security at our nation's ports:

"The targeted infrastructure protection grant program would force seaports to compete with other transportation modes and sectors for security funding. This is unacceptable," said Congressman Thompson.

"The grant program proposed by President Bush increases the likelihood that ports will not receive the same amount of funding they received last year. The Administration's request of $600 million will not meet ports needs, especially when ports are forced to compete with rail and transit for security funding.

The grant proposal also contradicts the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to have a dedicated port security grant program.

"This grant proposal is not in line with Congress' intent when it passed the Coast and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004. As a conferee who worked on this legislation, I know the grant program is not supposed to lump ports in with other transportation systems."

"I am disappointed with the level of funding that has been requested. As a Member of Congress whose state has several coastal and river ports, I will not support a budget that undermines security at our seaports," said Thompson.

http://benniethompson.house.gov/HoR/MS02/News/Press+Releases/2005/02-17-05+Congressman+Thompson+Pushes+Port+Funding.htm