One hundred forty eight Republicans voted against the bill funding Homeland Security operations. Speaker Pelosi explained:
The bill funds the hiring of 3,000 new border patrol agents, rejects the cuts President Bush sought in the training and equipping of first responders, and improves aviation and port security. It also includes strong accountability measures to make certain that taxpayer dollars are being well-spent, including requiring that contracts be competitively bid.
The President plans to veto the bill, which also requires DHS and its contractors to pay the locally prevailing wages. Apparently paying the people who keep us safe is not a priority.
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