Why did Congress kill a measure to keep felons out of U.S. ports?

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U.S. harbors are filled with workers convicted of serious crimes. Just last year the Justice Department filed a RICO suit charging that the 65,000-member East Coast-based International Longshoremen's Association is a "vehicle for organized crime."

But the House-Senate conference drastically watered down a Senate-passed requirement that aligned the standards for hiring dock workers with those used at airports and nuclear plants. The statute still bans workers who have been convicted of treason, espionage and terror-related offenses--a mere handful at most. But a seven-year time-out period on hiring those who've committed crimes such as murder, bribery, identity fraud and the illegal use of firearms was dropped in the dead of night at the behest of unions fearful that too many of their members could lose their jobs.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110009027

[jjjimmy 0]

the larger question is why arent we doing anything to protect our ports,and why did the administration support port ownership by an arab country!this is just one area of weakness that the 9/11 commission suggested that we strengthen but has been ignored by the white house.

[peejay 327]

the larger question is why arent we doing anything to protect our ports,and why did the administration support port ownership by an arab country!this is just one area of weakness that the 9/11 commission suggested that we strengthen but has been ignored by the white house.

So this is George Bush's fault? Since when did he control Congress? The GOP in both the House and Senate have bucked him on several issues (including the port sale). Bush has been on my sh!t list for quite a while on many issues, but I don't blame him for everything including the weather.

The GOP scared of unions? That isn't their political base. Never has been. They are no friend of the working class. The Dems claim to be, but...

I'm stumped too and can't venture a guess. I can't think of why the American People would want convicted felons, known gangsters, and/or illegal aliens working in security sensitive areas of our ports.

My guess is...Like most things in USA Inc it comes down to $$$. Can you say "lobbyist"?

The House-Senate conference committee is the botom line answer. Who is on the committee and who stripped it out?

Now I'm curious. Most Americans should be.

[cmartyn 0]

Easy enough to find out who is on the comitee.; Another thing to find out which yocals laughed at it when they looked at it and tossed it into the dust bin.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

Easy enough to find out who is on the comitee.; Another thing to find out which yocals laughed at it when they looked at it and tossed it into the dust bin.

Daniel

:energetic:

[Mirorgate 0]

Easy enough to find out who is on the comitee.; Another thing to find out which yocals laughed at it when they looked at it and tossed it into the dust bin.

Daniel

:energetic:

And November is just around the corner

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

the larger question is why arent we doing anything to protect our ports,and why did the administration support port ownership by an arab country!this is just one area of weakness that the 9/11 commission suggested that we strengthen but has been ignored by the white house.

So this is George Bush's fault? Since when did he control Congress? The GOP in both the House and Senate have bucked him on several issues (including the port sale). Bush has been on my sh!t list for quite a while on many issues, but I don't blame him for everything including the weather.

The GOP scared of unions? That isn't their political base. Never has been. They are no friend of the working class. The Dems claim to be, but...

I'm stumped too and can't venture a guess. I can't think of why the American People would want convicted felons, known gangsters, and/or illegal aliens working in security sensitive areas of our ports.

My guess is...Like most things in USA Inc it comes down to $$$. Can you say "lobbyist"?

The House-Senate conference committee is the botom line answer. Who is on the committee and who stripped it out?

Now I'm curious. Most Americans should be.

good post!

[ieldanth 0]

To answer the topic question: because they realized they would be restricting their own access to those ports?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

To answer the topic question: because they realized they would be restricting their own access to those ports?

Hilarious!