I Feel Safer, Don't You?

Updated Below

Via ThinkProgress

Here is just one more example of how the Republican majority is dedicated to protecting you and I. Yesterday (3/16) the House of Representatives narrowly defeated an amendment proposed by Rep. Martin Sabo (D-MN) that would have provided $1.25 billion in critically needed funds for port security and disaster preparedness. The Sabo amendment included:

– $300 million to enable U.S. customs agents to inspect high-risk containers at all 140 overseas ports that ship directly to the United States. Current funding only allows U.S. customs agents to operate at 43 of these ports.

– $400 million to place radiation monitors at all U.S. ports of entry. Currently, less than half of U.S. ports have radiation monitors.

– $300 million to provide backup emergency communications equipment for the Gulf Coast.

Just to put this into perspective for you. The Bush budget, which will most assuredly be supported by those very same members who voted against this bill, contains an increase of $1.7 billion for missile defense, a program that has repeatedly proven that it doesn’t even work and most experts agree will probably never work. Have you done your taxes yet?

Update #1

Georgia10 at DKOS has more