Senators Squabble Over TSA Provision (amendments would strike the labor rights provision)

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070303/D8NKPASG0.html

Senators Squabble Over TSA Provision
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Mar 3, 10:33 AM (ET)

By LAURIE KELLMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senators left town Friday with little to show for a week of debate on a massive anti-terrorism bill and squabbling over whether to let federal airport screeners join unions and risk a veto of a Homeland Security bill by President Bush.

Optimists say the issue could be settled as soon as Tuesday, but election-cycle politics could interfere.

That's when the Senate is expected to vote on two amendments.

One, sponsored by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., would strike the labor rights provision that inspired the veto threat. DeMint, Bush and enough Republicans to sustain a veto say collective bargaining rights would prevent the Transportation Security Administration from making instant personnel changes during an emergency.


In this March 18, 2003, file photo, a heavily-armed police officer stands guard on the front steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Senate will debate homeland security legislation that would improve rail and aviation security, provide funds for state and local emergency communications systems, improve intelligence sharing between federal, state and local officials, and expand a visa waiver benefit for favored countries. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

The other amendment, sponsored by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., would instead allow collective bargaining but make clear that the TSA administrator could take any staffing actions necessary during certain crises.

The Homeland Security bill, which is under the veto threat, would put into law the terrorist-fighting recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 commission. It has already been passed by the House.

Underlying the substantive debate, however, are election-cycle finances and a traditional party split over labor rights.

During the 2006 election cycle, the political action committees of labor unions contributed $65 million to congressional candidates, with about 87 percent of the money going to Democrats, according to data compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

FULL story at link.

and beyond redemption. Let Bush veto it. Send it right back to him to veto again. Make it clear that the Democratic Party stands for working men and women and stands against the corporate elites. Grow a damn spine.