The Progress Report
HOMELAND SECURITY – IGNORING NEEDS: The Christian Science Monitor reports that "three years after Sept. 11, emergency radios aren't linked for most first responders" meaning police, firefighters and other rescue workers cannot communicate via radio during a crisis. This despite desperate requests from mayors across the country. Nonetheless, Senate conservatives continued this week to vote down emergency homeland security funding. Congressional Quarterly reports that earlier this week, Republicans rejected amendments to add funding to protect hazardous materials against terrorist attacks, increase trucking security, and beef up defenses at chemical plants.