Reichert's 5% Solution - Too Weak For Washington

Think about it. Under current US cargo screening standards, 95% of the cargo vessels plying Puget Sound, ships that share the sea lanes with elements of our Naval fleet ranging from aircraft carriers to nuclear submarines, ships that cross paths with one of the world's premier public ferry systems, ships that sail by the steady summer stream of cruises launching from the Port of Seattle, ships that dock in our ports, ports that are an essential economic driver for every part of our state escape inspection.

95% of those cargo vessels enter our waters unscreened.

And that's just fine with Dave Reichert…

(Washington, D.C.)– Today, in the House Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Dave Reichert voted against an amendment that would have guaranteed 100% screening of America-bound cargo...The amendment Reichert opposed would have guaranteed within three years the only containers that can enter the U.S. from larger ports have been inspected for radiation and harmful materials. The amendment also calls for tamper-proof seals after inspection.

I really can't fathom the interest Reichert might have in putting the lives of millions of Puget Sound residents, the security of our fleet and the economic health of our state in jeopardy. Is it the DeLay dollars? Payback for a plum appointment to the Appropriations Committee? Just a desire to keep high marks on his Bushco™ report card?

None of those really seem worth the health and safety of his constituents and their regional neighbors to me, but Reichert's been consistently hostile, in committee and on the floor, to port security measures. Beginning last May, with his first floor vote against increased security standards and funding and continuing through the five separate votes he took to sustain the administration's back door deal with Dubai, he's proven one thing over and over.

Dave Reichert doesn't care about port security, and in these parts, that means he doesn’t care about you.

The Reichert record, via the DCCC:

Reichert Voted Against Increased Port Security. HR 1817, Roll Call #187, 5/18/05

Reichert Rubberstamped an Effort to Block Congressional Oversight on National Security. H Res 702, Vote #18, 3/2/06

Reichert Joins Republicans in Rejecting Efforts to Increase Port Review. House Appropriations Committee Markup, 3/8/06

Reichert Votes Against an Effort to Block the Potentially Harmful Dubai Ports Deal. HR 4167, Vote #21, 3/8/06

Reichert Voted Against $825 Million for Port Security. HR 4939 , Vote #56, 3/16/2006

Reichert Voted to Prevent Congress From Blocking Dubai Ports Deal. HR 4939, Vote #43, 3/15/2006

Reichert Joins Republicans in Rejecting Efforts to Increase Port Review. House Appropriations Committee Markup, 3/8/06

Congressional elections are decided in Districts, but issues like this one are regional, and every one of us has a stake in the outcome when someone with a demonstrated record of recklessness regarding our well being is on the ballot.

"Give like your life depends on it" is usually an overwrought cliché, but in the case of Darcy v. Dave it just might be true.

Was that a pitch? I guess it was. Here’s an appropriate link.