Port security grants face uncertain future in DHS bills

Port security grants face uncertain future in DHS bills The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's fiscal year 2008 appropriations bill that passed the House of Representatives on Monday as part of an omnibus spending package includes $400 million for port security grants.
   But the Associated Press reports that budget documents show the White House wants to kill the program altogether along with other counterterrorism funds for cities and states.
   Congress is considering a $474 billion catchall spending bill that covers funding for 10 other departments because of its inability to pass separate appropriations bills. Departments other than Defense have been operating since Oct. 1 at 2007 funding levels under continuing resolutions, or budget extensions.
   Democratic leaders pared their wish list by $23 billion to meet President Bush’s budget caps for discretionary spending in order finish the appropriations process before the holiday recess. Bush had threatened to veto the bill that didn’t meet his fiscal requirements.
   The omnibus appropriations bill as constructed fully funds the port security grant program at $400 million, as called for in the SAFE Port Act. That is $190 million more than the White House requested for 2008.
   It also includes $29 million for extra Customs officers as recommended in the 2006 law.
   The Secure Freight Initiative, a pilot program to test scanning and radiation detection on high levels of containers at foreign ports, is funded at $13 million.
   The Coast Guard would receive $60 million to create interagency operations centers for maritime security at ports. Another $59 million would help the agency run various port security programs. The money would provide for 238 additional vessel crewmembers and marine inspectors as well as 26 Defender class boats to monitor security zones and enforce maritime laws.
   The Port of Tacoma is scheduled to receive $5.5 million to operate as a test bed for radiation screening of cargo that runs on rail cars instead of trucks, thanks to a provision inserted by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
   Another earmark, this time for $2 million, was penned by Rep. David Price, D-N.C., for live testing of crane-mounted radiation detectors.
   Meanwhile, 26 Democratic senators called on President Bush to reverse course on proposed funding cuts to homeland security programs in the fiscal year 2009 budget being prepared by the White House.
   According to the AP, the Office of Management and Budget wants to eliminate the port, transit and other grant programs because it feels the money has not always been well spent and that large cities have largely met their security needs.
   “This budget proposal is dead on arrival,” Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said in the AP story. “This administration runs around the country scaring people and then when it comes to putting their money where their mouth is, they say ‘sorry, the bank is closed.' “
   Boxer said elimination of port security grants was especially worrisome because her state includes the nation’s two largest container ports that handle more than 40 percent of all imports.
   “These homeland security programs were all authorized by legislation this administration supported and signed into law. Unfortunately, real security does not come cheap and cannot be achieved with mere words of support. At a time when this administration asks for hundreds of billions of dollars to conduct its war in Iraq, it should also provide adequate support to protect Americans here at home and reject these misguided cuts to vital homeland security programs,” the joint letter said.
   The White House proposes in the preliminary budget documents to create a new program for targeted investment grants, which would fund administration priorities such as secure credentials for transportation employees and requirements that states create more secure drivers’ licenses.
   A $300 million discretionary grant program for terrorism preparedness, prevention and response, would fund specific projects instead of sending a set amount to each state, the AP said. ' Eric Kulisch