Sen. Dodd, D-Conn., slashed aviation security funding for pet constituency (BUSTED!!!!)

Wash Examiner ^ | 12/28/09 | Mark Hemingway

[pissant]

Now that our attention is focused on airline security measures thanks to the failed airline attack on Christmas Day, it's worth mentioning that one Senator took money away from aviation security to line the pockets of constituency that supported his presidential campaign in a big way.

Back in July, Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., proposed an amendment reducing aviation security appropriations by $4.5 million in favor of firefighter grants -- a notoriously inneffective program. In fact, the money was specifically "for screening operations and the amount for explosives detection systems." The amendment was also sponsored by Sen. Lieberman, D-Conn., and Sen. Carper, D-Del., but Dodd deserves to be singled out here because the firefighters union is a pet constituency of his. In 2007 he campaigned all through Iowa with the firefighters union. (snip)

The text of the amendment is below: (Purpose: To provide additional funds for FIRE grants under section 33 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974)

On page 77, between lines 16 and 17, insert the following:

SEC. X (a) The amount appropriated under the heading "firefighter assistance grants'' under the heading "Federal Emergency Management Agency'' under by title III for necessary expenses for programs authorized by the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 is increased by $10,000,000 for necessary expenses to carry out the programs authorized under section 33 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 2229).

(b) The total amount of appropriations under the heading "Aviation Security'' under the heading "Transportation Security Administration'' under title II, the amount for screening operations and the amount for explosives detection systems under the first proviso under that heading, and the amount for the purchase and installation of explosives detection systems under the second proviso under that heading are reduced by $4,500,000.

[visualops]

Think this will get any airplay at all?

[lowbridge]

bump

[Irish Eyes]

Time for Joe Arpaio to head Homeland Security, with an unlimited budget.

[razorback-bert]

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program – Application Information
The purpose of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program is to award one-year grants directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services (EMS) organizations of a State to enhance their abilities with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. Our primary goal is to provide assistance to meet fire departments’ and nonaffiliated EMS organizations’ firefighting and emergency response needs. This program seeks to support organizations that lack the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their emergency response personnel with respect to fire and all other hazards they may face.

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/grants/afgp/

[Vinnie]

Just 30 min. ago I heard a local interview w/ Rep. David Price, D,NC.
He of course blamed a ‘conservative’ repub of killing his bill that would have installed body scanners at airports.

[apocalypto]

Sen. Dodd is a disaster for this country.