"It’s Money in the Bank", as they say...

The question is whose bank. With typical Democratic donors from Wall Street finding new recipients for their annual political giving, specifically, the men and women on the other side of the aisle, this week could serve as a reaching out party for many individual dems, as well as certain democrat-particular circles. (NYT)

Bill in Brief

As part of their 2006 campaign, Democrats promised to catch Congress up to speed with all the 9/11 Commission's recommendations. In fairness to Republicans, Congress didn't exactly sit still on security issues before 2007; Dems, however, claim they didn't go far enough.

Issue in Brief

Responding to criticism that homeland security grants don't necessarily go where they're needed most, there's a push in Congress to change how state homeland security grants - also known as "first responder" money - are divvied up.

Now all states get a minimum of 0.75% of federal first responder funding - which added up to a total of $3.6 billion in 2005. What's left over gets doled out according to risk level and need.

Issue in Brief

In January 2006 the US okayed the sale of P&O, a port management firm that leases terminals in six US cities, to a United Arab Emirates company, Dubai Ports World. The sale set off a political frenzy with lawmakers railing over the risks of giving a Muslim Arab state-owned company - with a once questionable terrorist record - any role in US ports.

Facts

In the post 9/11 era, national security has become number one priority to many in order to prevent another disaster. But what does the US need to secure within in its borders? One important but usually overlooked potential weakness are the nuclear power plants sprinkled around the country. Below is a short summary of the who, what, where, when, why and how of nuclear power plants and their security.

Facts