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BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS BOMBER THREAT, CONGRESSMAN BLUNT VOTED AGAINST FUNDING AIRPORT SECURITY, SAYS IT IS JUST “ADDITIONAL BUREAUCRACIES” AND DOESN’T DESERVE FUNDING
For Immediate Release: January 4, 2010 Contact: Ryan Hobart (573) 636-5241 Ext. 125 BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS BOMBER THREAT, CONGRESSMAN BLUNT VOTED AGAINST FUNDING AIRPORT SECURITY, SAYS IT IS JUST “ADDITIONAL BUREAUCRACIES” AND DOESN’T DESERVE FUNDING Failed terrorist plot shows how Congressman Blunt put partisan Washington politics before national security Was one of 37 Republicans to vote against Homeland security funding Jefferson City, Mo – Before the Christmas Day Bomber threat, Congressman Roy Blunt voted against airport security this past June [HR 2892, Vote #450, 6/24/09] and then failed to show for a final vote on the national security bill this past October [HR 2892, Vote #784, 10/15/09]. The legislation included $7.7. billion for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – including $1.1 billion for the purchase and installation of explosive detection systems at airports to keep Missourians safe [CQ Fact Sheet, 6/22/09]. Congressman Blunt was just one of just 37 Republicans who initially voted against the Homeland Security Bill that included funding for airport security, with his spokesman saying that it set up “additional bureaucracies” that don’t deserve funding [KC Star, 12/28/09]. “Congressman Blunt showed his true Washington insider priorities by putting partisan politics before national security,” said Missouri Democratic Party Communications Director Ryan Hobart. “By voting against national security funding, and then not showing up for the final vote Congressman Blunt has put politics ahead of the safety of Missourians. Missourians deserve to know why Congressman Blunt thinks airport security doesn’t deserve funding and where he was when it mattered.” Congressman Blunt’s excuse for voting against national security only highlights how captive he is to Washington insider partisan politics – no matter what the cost. Blunt was part of Republican spending spree under George W. Bush’s Republican Congress. The Springfield News Leader said Blunt “was one of the leaders in a Republican Congress that allowed earmarks to get out of control during an era of no accountability.” [Springfield News-Leader, 6/16/07 Congressman Blunt is running against State Senator Chuck Purgason and Kansas City auto consultant Mark Memoly in the August 2010 primary for the Republican nomination for US Senate. --30--
