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Bush Administration Proposes Maritime, Port Security Funding Increases
The fiscal 2005 budget proposal submitted this week by U.S. President George W. Bush contains funding increases for maritime and port security, according to a White House fact sheet (see GSN, Feb. 3). The fiscal 2005 request includes almost $2 billion for port security efforts conducted by the Homeland Security Department, an increase of 13 percent over current funding. The request also includes $6.6 billion for border security efforts, an increase of 7 percent over fiscal 2004 funding; and $6.3 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard, an 64 percent increase over fiscal 2001 (White House release I, Feb. 5). During a speech yesterday at the Union Pier Terminal in Charleston, S.C., Bush stressed the importance of port and maritime security. “That’s why I’ve come to this vital seaport, to remind people — to remind the American people, as they pay attention to the debates in the halls of Congress, that we have a solemn duty to protect our homeland, including the seaports of America,” Bush said (White House release II, Feb. 5). Meanwhile, Adm. Vern Clark said Wednesday that the U.S. Navy and other agencies were working to develop a maritime early warning system similar to the North American Aerospace Defense Command. “I’m convinced we need to build a maritime NORAD,” Clark said. He said naval vessels could install satellite transponders, similar to the radar identification systems used by the Federal Aviation Administration to track aircraft. Clark also said that a maritime early warning system would also need to check incoming cargo along with the vessels carrying them (James Crawley, San Diego Union-Tribune, Feb. 5).
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