WASHINGTON – Anti-terror legislation sailed through the House on Tuesday, the first in a string of measures designed to fulfill campaign promises made by Democrats last fall.
Patterned on recommendations of the commission that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the far-reaching measure includes commitments for inspection of all cargo carried aboard passenger aircraft and on ships bound for the United States.
The vote was a mostly bipartisan 299-128. All of Washington state representatives voted in favor of the legislation.
In a written statement, the Bush administration listed several objections and said it could not support the measure as drafted, but stopped short of a veto threat.
The funding will require follow-up legislation.
Legislation introduced in the Senate a year ago to implement the recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission had a price tag of more than $53 billion over five years.
The legislation directs the Homeland Security Department to establish a system for inspecting all cargo carried on passenger aircraft over the next three years. It also requires scanning of all containers bound for the U.S., using the best available technology. Large ports would be given three years to comply, smaller ports five years.
The bill also requires the government to take the risk of terror attacks into greater account when distributing homeland security grants to the 50 states.
The measure also would centralize the government’s efforts at preventing nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists and would take steps to disrupt the black market for nuclear material.
“We will not be safe here as long as the worst weapons can fall into the worst hands,” said Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash.
Next up for the House is an increase in the minimum wage – set for passage today – followed by relaxation of the limits on stem-cell research conducted with federal funds and a measure directing the administration to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices for Medicare recipients.
Next week, the Democrats intend to clear legislation to cut the interest rate on student loans and to curtail tax breaks for the energy industry.
Each of the bills would go to the Senate.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
