Senator Tom Coburn's activity on the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security

Republican Office

Legislative and Floor Action

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July 19, 2007
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9-11 Bill Public Conference

The House and Senate conferees met in the first (and probably last) public conference to iron out some of the differences between the House (H.R. 1, “Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007”) and Senate (S. 4, the "Improving America’s Security Act of 2007") versions of the bill. Only two amendments were brought forward in an attempt to settle unresolved issues:

100% Cargo screening: an amendment was put forward by Congressman Bennie Thompson, Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. The amendment passed on party line votes in both chambers and will therefore be included in underlying language. Dr. Coburn voted against this amendment.
Transportation security jurisdiction: an amendment was put forward by Congressman Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to change jurisdictional authority over the transit, rail, and bus grant distribution to have Department of Transportation actually cut the checks to grantees, even though the Department of Homeland Security would award and manage the grants. This language passed on the vote of the House conferees, but failed 5-9 on the Senate side. As a result, the impasse continues and further negotiations will either have to resolve this issue or drop the program from the conference bill. Dr. Coburn voted against this amendment.

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