Perhaps it's not just his anti-labor positions that led Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) to keep a hold on President Obama's nominee to head the Transportation Security Administration. Back in 2007, a tipster points out, DeMint was one of a handful of GOP senators to vote against a bill implementing the 9/11 Commission's recommendations for strengthening homeland security. (Obama, then representing Illinois in the Senate, didn't vote. ) Here are some of the provisions of the bill — described in Project VoteSmart's summary — which ultimately passed by a wide and bipartisan margin:
Requires the secretary of homeland security to establish department-wide procedures by which to receive and analyze intelligence from state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector …
Authorizes funding levels for various efforts of Transportation Security Administration, including $1.99 billion for railroad security, $95 million for over-the-road bus and trucking security, and $36 million for hazardous material and pipeline security through fiscal year 2011…
Oh, and there's this, too, at section 1307:
Directs the Secretary to: (1) begin to increase the number of explosives detection canine teams certified by TSA for purposes of transportation-related security by up to 200 canine teams by the end of 2010; and (2) encourage state, local, and tribal governments and private owners of high-risk transportation facilities to strengthen security through the use of such teams.
Don't worry, though. DeMint is looking out for your security.
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