House majority flexes muscle to pass security, intel bills

Over objections from Republicans and the White House, House Democrats pushed through two bills Tuesday to implement most of the unfulfilled recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Democrats and Republicans traded barbs over the bills on their first full legislative day of the new Congress.

In the end, though, the new Democratic majority flexed its political muscle and prevailed over Republicans.

A bill addressing domestic homeland security and international efforts to promote democracy and curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction passed by a 299-128 vote.

A bill to improve congressional oversight of the nation's intelligence community was approved by a 239-188 vote. Lawmakers approved a resolution amending the rules of the House, so no Senate action is necessary.

Republicans and the White House supported some provisions in the 9/11 bill, but were staunchly opposed to other aspects.

House Appropriations ranking member Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., argued that Democrats have given no indication how several provisions will be paid for, especially measures that require the Homeland Security Department to ensure that all cargo being put on domestic passenger planes is inspected within three years.

The bill also requires that all containers shipped by sea to the United States are scanned at foreign ports for weapons of mass destruction within three to five years.

Lewis estimated the cargo scanning requirements could cost tens of billions of dollars.

"This bill is a clear indication that the majority's pledge to offset any new increases in spending is just an empty sound bite," he said. "There is no way we can afford these programs without raising fees or taxes, and putting the brakes on our nation's economy in the process."

Democrats contend airlines will have to pay for inspection of air cargo, and foreign port terminal operators will have to pay for scanning sea-bound containers. They also say other provisions in the bill will be offset by fees.

Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David Price, D-N.C., however, noted that some new revenue will be needed. "We'll have to find additional resources," he said. "This bill is a critical first step in the process of making real security improvements."

The White House objected to the cargo-scanning provisions, arguing the new requirements are not feasible and too costly. The administration added that scanning technology has not been proven to work.

Led by Minority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam of Florida, Republicans also protested a provision in the bill expressing the sense of the House that the Proliferation Security Initiative program be referred to the U.N. Security Council.

They also protested that Democrats did not allow amendments to be offered during floor debate, or allow the bill to go through the normal committee process.

"These are the kinds of issues that if you had an opportunity to hold hearings, hold markups, and have an amendment process -- in short go through regular order -- that you could work on these issues and make a better legislative product for the American people by having a fair and open legislative process," Putnam said.

Republicans also pointed out that the 9/11 Commission did not recommend that all cargo be scanned or that PSI be referred to the U.N. Security Council. Republicans noted that the bill does not implement all the of the commission's recommendations, such as consolidating oversight of the Homeland Security Department or declassifying the overall intelligence budget.

But by a 230-198 vote, Democrats beat back a procedural move by Republicans to send the 9/11 bill to committees for review and debate.

The intelligence oversight bill calls for the creation of a new Appropriations subcommittee to assess funding for the intelligence community. The panel would include lawmakers who sit on both the Appropriations and Intelligence committees.

Seven committee ranking members, including Lewis and Intelligence ranking member Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., circulated a letter Tuesday opposing the bill, saying it would make intelligence oversight more complex and less effective. Republicans offered a motion to recommit the intelligence bill, which failed, 232-195.

Christian Bourge contributed to this report.