House may consider ports deal in war funding bill (blocked in bill?)

[Roland99]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060307/pl_nm/security_ports_bill_dc

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A key U.S. House of Representatives member said on Tuesday he would propose legislation to block a controversial deal in which state-owned Dubai Ports World would manage facilities at several U.S. ports.

"I have heard from many of my constituents who have strong concerns about the possibility of foreign-owned companies managing U.S. ports. I have also heard from many of the members of my committee who have similar concerns," House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis said.

He said he would offer the measure as an amendment to an emergency spending bill for the
Iraq war and hurricane relief.

[Lerkfish]

1. and then he said "heeeeyyyyy laaadddyyyyyyyy!"

[pfitz59]

20. Uh...wrong Jery Lewis

[Lerkfish]

21. uh...making a joke.

[MadMaddie]

2. ooooh....using their own tactics against themselves....

Why is the Emergency spending bill have Iraq and Hurricane relief bound together?

This kind of crap has to stop....

[Trillo]

5. Because individual legislators don't all have line-item voting. NT

[liberal N proud]

3. bu$h would have to veto the war bill to veto the block of the port sale

That is hilarious, if he veto's spending for his own war, that would be a double blow.

But on the flip side, Katrina victims caught in the middle.

[Roland99]

4. It's not like the Feds are being much help to the Katrina victims anyway.

[Tiggeroshii]

6. Yahoo-House Republican to Move on Port Bill

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer
38 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - A leading House Republican plans to push legislation Wednesday against a Dubai company's effort to take over some U.S. port operations, probably defying President Bush with an effort to block the deal.

Rep. Jerry Lewis (news, bio, voting record), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, plans to attach a provision to a spending bill for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and aid for Gulf States recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

The move reflects election-year unease among the GOP rank-and-file about a foreign-owned company managing American ports. The government of Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates, controls the company.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060307/ap_on_go_co/ports_security

[babsbunny]

7. GOOD NEWS!

[madmom]

8. I still say this is an out for bush ..so he can save face.

[anotherdrew]

9. isn't it a bit late? I mean, doesn't DPworld already own the company? n/t

[rodeodance]

10. so, Katrina and Irag war spending bill will be together----interesting

...He said he would offer the measure as an amendment to an emergency spending bill for the
Iraq war and hurricane relief.

[Moderator]

11. Kick for combine

[DoYouEverWonder]

12. Republicans defy Bush over ports

8 March 2006

Leading members of George W Bush's Republican party are moving to block a deal which would give a Dubai-based firm control over six US ports.

Jerry Lewis, who chairs the powerful House of Representatives appropriations committee, is introducing emergency legislation to halt the takeover.

The move puts the president in direct conflict with his own party in Congress and has been called a slap in the face.

Lawmakers say they are concerned about the security implications of the deal.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4784842.stm

[liberal N proud]

13. Yoo Hooo!

It is about time congress did what was right for America

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. Don't get your hopes up

they're just looking for an excuse to put Halliburton in charge. They are already pushing the idea that if the UAE partners with a US company that the security concerns will be solved.

[barbaraann]

14. They will back down.

They always do.

[Daphne08]

16. Why the hell aren't they defying him on the spying issue, and

why didn't they defy him on the Patriot Act?

Are they defying on this ONLY because they have received thousands of calls and letters? If they had not, what would they do?

[Disturbed]

17. The Rethugs are posing defiance so that...

they will be elected again. Behind the scene they are figuring out how to get the ports deal the green light.

[RazzleDazzle]

18. That's about it, alright.

[angryxyouth]

19. What about the Line Item Veto Bill that Kerry sponserd??

If that passes first, would that give Shrub just what he wants?