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Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Senate Decides to Decrease Transit Security Money

On July 14, 2005, the Senate voted to decrease funding for rail and transit security, despite the recent bombings in London that killed at least 50 commuters.

The Senate passed the $31.9 billion Homeland Security spending bill late Thursday, which includes $100 million for transit security, down $50 million from last year. Several Senators tried to add amendments to increase funding, but none of them won the 60 votes necessary to overcome a budget point of order, which prevents spending beyond the 2006 budget and the debate was a multiyear budget debate.

Attempts at improving security on trains, buses, and subways

Three Senators tried to increase funding to transit security, but all of them failed. Notice how each item focuses on total dollars available and/or what gets less if something gets more.

Richard C. Shelby (R- Alabama) suggested $1.2 billion to defend trains and buses, but the amendment fell short of the 60 votes it needed. However, the idea won bipartisan support - nine Republicans joined all 44 Democrats and Independent James Jeffords to make the final vote 54-45. Republicans who voted against the amendment, including Republican John McCain of Arizona, said the price tag was too high.

Republicans rejected 43-55 an amendment by Robert C. Byrd (D- West Virginia) for the same reason; Byrd’s plan provided $1.4 billion.

A much cheaper proposal was defeated as well; Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Judd Gregg (R- New Hampshire) offered another $100 million to rail and transit security, but since that money would come from police and firefighters’ budgets, Democrats voted against it. The amendment was defeated 46-52.

A chance at a bit more money

Gregg says that transit security funds may be increased when the House and Senate negotiate the differences between their two bills. But Gregg doubts that conferees will allot more than $150 million total, the amount approved by the House.

Senator Byrd and other Democrats argue that the Homeland Security spending bill should be recalculated. They feel that more of the $ 31.9 billion should be going to protect buses and trains.

But Senator Gregg claims that throwing money at the problem won’t necessarily solve it. He believes the spending bill should emphasize security at U.S. borders and protection against weapons of mass destruction. But those in favor of increasing spending say that extra money could pay for more bomb-sniffing dogs and surveillance cameras. Local transportation security sources say more police would make a greater difference. The Undersecretary for Homeland Security stated that technology was key to greater security.

Gregg says that the conference committee has a lot of work ahead since the transit security issue is not the only problem to be worked out in the Homeland Security Spending bill.

Restructuring of Homeland Security Department

Conferees also will have to consider Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff’s proposal to restructure his department.

Some divisions of the Department of Homeland Security are likely to be dissolved even though they are funded through 2006 via the Homeland Security spending bill.

Chertoff has reviewed the 180,000-employee department and decided on a major bureaucratic restructuring. Congress will have to approve many of the changes, including the elimination of several assistant secretary and undersecretary positions.

Chertoff feels that streamlining and reorganizing the department is essential to the nation’s security. He believes that increasing the department’s efficiency will increase its effectiveness and make America safer.

Critics disagree. Representative Edward J. Markey (D- Massachusetts) says that the reshuffling will do little to protect Americans and that the department should place its energy on protecting air cargo and chemical facilities instead.

Indeed, the Senate voted down amendments that would have increased funding for truck and air cargo security because of the tight budget.

However, most of the Homeland Security money is discretionary spending, so the department may decide after it gets the money to funnel dollars into protecting buses, trains, and cargo.

Where do you think the Homeland Security tax dollars should go? What’s the best strategy for preventing a terror attack? What do you need to know to judge the wisdom of restructuring the Department of Homeland Security?

What do you think?

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Update Posted on: 7/17/2005