Hoekstra opposed funding explosive detection for TSA in fed. budget

Republican governor candidate and Congressman Pete Hoekstra of Holland is making waves by sending out a fundraising appeal Monday citing the failed bombing plot in Detroit on Christmas. In that letter, Hoekstra wrote:

My promise to you, as your governor, my first duty and most solemn responsibility is to keep Michigan safe!

For almost a decade I have been a leader on National Security and at the forefront of the war on terror. I understand the real and continuing threat radical jihadists pose to our great state of Michigan and our great Nation.

I have pledged that I will do “everything possible” to prevent these terrorists from coming to Michigan.

Sounds like a typical fundraising pitch, until you look beyond the surface.

Back in June Hoekstra was one of 37 Representatives — all Republicans — to vote against the Homeland Security and and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010. Hoekstra and others were in a tiff with Democrats over a procedural vote, but even most of his fellow Republicans voted for the passage of the bill in the House.

But then again in October, when the conference bill came up for a vote, Hoekstra joined 108 Republicans in voting no on the funding. That was the last chance to vote for funding the Department of Homeland Security, including the Transportation Safety Administration, for 2010.

So did Hoekstra’s votes keep Michigan residents safe? Ironically, that bill, HR 2892, included funding for aviation security, including funds for — coincidentally — detecting explosive devices in airports before they get on to a plane and for funding air marshals (none of which were on the flight from Amsterdam on Christmas Day):

Makes appropriations for FY2010 for:

(3) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including for aviation security (including for explosives detection systems), surface transportation security, the Office of Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing, transportation security support, and Federal Air Marshals;

Politico gets a little more indepth with the reporting on this funding noting he following language from the appropriations bill:

For necessary expenses of the Transportation Security Administration related to providing civil aviation security services pursuant to the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (Public Law 107–71; 115 Stat. 597; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note), $5,214,040,000, to remain available until September 30, 2011, of which not to exceed $10,000 shall be for official reception and representation expenses: Provided, That of the total amount made available under this heading, not to exceed $4,358,076,000 shall be for screening operations, of which $1,116,406,000 shall be available for explosives detection systems; and not to exceed $855,964,000 shall be for aviation security direction and enforcement: Provided further, That of the amount made available in the preceding proviso for explosives detection systems, $778,300,000 shall be available for the purchase and installation of these systems, of which not less than 28 percent shall be available for the purchase and installation of certified explosives detection systems at medium- and small-sized airports: Provided further, That any award to deploy explosives detection systems shall be based on risk, the airport’s current reliance on other screening solutions, lobby congestion resulting in increased security concerns, high injury rates, airport readiness, and increased cost effectiveness: Provided further, That of the total amount provided, $1,250,000 shall be made available for Safe Skies Alliance to develop and enhance research and training capabilities for Transportation Security Officer improvised explosive recognition training:

Calls to Hoekstra’s office for comment were not returned.