9/11 Proposals Keep Lights On in Capitol

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-terror17aug17,1,4257899.story?coll=la-news-a_section
9/11 Proposals Keep Lights On in Capitol
Congress' unusual August hearings look for ways to carry out panel's suggestions.
By Richard Simon and Greg Miller
Times Staff Writers

August 17, 2004

WASHINGTON — Congress is holding more than a dozen hearings during a month when the Capitol is ordinarily dark, highlighting a bipartisan determination to shore up the nation's defenses against terrorism.

But though the spirit is willing, the budget is not. Despite bipartisan cooperation, this year's record deficit has lawmakers publicly wondering how they can implement all the recommendations of the independent Sept. 11 commission, whose scathing report last month on the inadequacy of the nation's defenses triggered the current burst of activity.

Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) pointed out Monday that so far $500 million had been allocated for seaport security proposals that the government estimated would cost $7 billion. She said during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing that President Bush had sought $46 million in federal security grants to seaports next year, down 69% from two years ago. "That simply is unacceptable," she said.

Maureen Ellis, a spokeswoman for the American Assn. of Port Authorities, which represents public seaports, said her group was "still finding it a struggle" to get more money for security.

Although there is no estimate on how much all the commission's recommendations on transportation security would cost, its plan to improve airport security alone is projected to cost $1 billion a year over five years. Bills pending in the Senate would authorize about $1 billion to shore up railroads and $5 billion to tighten security on public transit systems. <snip>