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Veto Looms Over Homeland Security Bill
But Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., who opposes the legislation, said, "The money should go to the threat" _ such as New York City and Washington D.C., with their subways, commercial landmarks and political centers _ even though that would mean less money for his state.
The House version is more in line with the 9/11 commission's final report, which concluded that "homeland security assistance should be based strictly on an assessment of risks and vulnerabilities," adding, "Congress should not use this money as a pork barrel." The House bill does not specify a dollar amount for federal grants to states or for the emergency communications program.
  Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, center, poses with newly naturalized soldiers, after they were sworn in as citizens at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, Monday, March 12, 2007. From left are, Marine Lance Cpl. Carlos Lopes, originally from Portugal; Army Spc. Eduardo Garcia-Gonzalez, originally from Mexico; Chertoff; Army Spc. Angel Regalado-Contreras, originally from Mexico; and PFC Dwishnicka Randolph, originally from Haiti. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (Charles Dharapak - AP) 
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Both bills provide the 45,000 airport screeners, whose jobs were federalized when the Homeland Security Department was created after Sept. 11, with collective bargaining rights, with the rights in the House bill somewhat stronger. That sparked the veto threat from the White House, which said the Department of Homeland Security must have no impediments to the flexibility it needs to move workers around in an emergency.
Former Rep. Tim Roehmer, D-Ind., a member of the 9/11 Commission, asked whether it was "worth vetoing a bill that improves our national security, when al-Qaida is regrouping around the world, over a provision for limited collective bargaining?"
The administration has also voiced objections to House language requiring screening of U.S. cargo in foreign ports or inspection of aircraft cargo, citing expense and practicality concerns.
The 9/11 Commission issued 41 recommendations in July 2004 covering tighter domestic security, reforms of intelligence-gathering and congressional oversight and foreign policy adjustments.
The White House and Congress have followed through on some suggestions, including creating a director of national intelligence to oversee the intelligence community and enacting a port security bill.
The Senate bill largely ignores a recommendation concerning its own Homeland Security affairs _ that there be a streamlining of committees with a say over intelligence policy and funding.
On the final day of the two-week debate, the Senate rejected an amendment by Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, D-Del., that would allow for rerouting trains carrying hazardous materials through urban areas. The Senate also rejected amendments by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., requiring the Homeland Security Department to abide by the same financial transparency laws that other agencies must follow.
The defeat of the Biden amendment came as the House Homeland Security Committee accepted similar rerouting language, introduced by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., as part of a rail security bill.
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The bill is S 4.
On the Net:
Transportation Security Administration: http:/
Department of Homeland Security: http:/
