Washington, DC-  Representative Edward Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee and strong proponent of the “Sail Only if Scanned Act of 2006” to ensure 100% screening of cargo entering our nation’s ports, reacted today to a report by the AFL-CIO detailing the Administration’s deference to big industry demands for homeland security “suggestions,” rather than real security mandates: 

“The report released today by the AFL-CIO shines a light on the Bush Administration’s practice of bending over backwards to accommodate the wishes of industry, while turning its back on urgent homeland security priorities such as 100 percent inspection of cargo containers before they arrive at our ports,” said Rep. Markey. “Across the spectrum of homeland security issues – from aviation and nuclear plants to chemical facilities and transport of toxic materials – the Bush Administration’s motto is very simple: ‘In Industry We Trust.’

“In the Bush White House and the Republican-controlled Congress, special interests receive special consideration, while common-sense security upgrades are brushed aside in favor of security ‘suggestions’ that industries are free to ignore,” Rep. Markey continued. “Real security mandates are required.  Anything less leaves Americans dangerously vulnerable to another devastating terrorist attack.”

In addition to his work on increasing cargo screening, Rep. Markey is the author of legislation that would require the Department of Homeland Security to impose additional security requirements for shipments of extremely hazardous materials, including re-routing of such shipments around areas that raise particular security concerns whenever possible.

For more information on Rep. Markey’s work to provide homeland security work check out: www.house.gov/markey

AFL-CIO Blog Post on Rep. Markey's Efforts on this Issue

Op/Ed by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney Examines this Issue