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Press Releases |
For Immediate Release
09/08/06
Contact: |
Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
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Opening Statement on Port Security by Chairman Stevens
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view Television Clip
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(Link to audio of speech can be found at bottom of page)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today delivered the following statement as the Senate began consideration of the Port Security Improvement Act of 2006 (HR 4954).
Chairman Stevens: As we all know, Monday marks the fifth anniversary of September 11th and the terrorist attacks against this country. Shortly after these attacks, the President signed into law the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, which was developed by our Commerce Committee and greatly enhanced our country’s maritime security efforts. Since then, our Commerce Committee has worked to pass and implement a number of initiatives which have made our ports and borders more secure.
Today we will take up the Port Security Improvement Act of 2006. This bill marks the first time three Senate committees have merged their collective expertise and crafted a truly comprehensive approach to port security. A bipartisan group of members from the Commerce Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee have worked together for several months on this bill. I know the Senate will realize these three committees each have tremendous knowledge about our ports and the programs which protect and secure our international supply chain. I believe it is a credit to the Senate that each committee agreed to pool their resources, put aside jurisdictional issues, and reach consensus on this bill.
When enacted, the bill will strengthen security at our land and sea ports, improve our maritime transportation security strategy, and enhance communications between the Department of Homeland Security and transportation security stakeholders. It includes a plan to get our trade activities up and running again in the event of a transportation security incident. And it creates a pilot program which will study the feasibility of scanning each of the containers – 100 percent of the containers – entering our ports.
I have spent considerable time in the last couple of years examining our ports, especially those on the West Coast, which I know best. The Port of Los Angeles which is really three separate ports, is made up of the ports of San Pedro, Long Beach and Los Angeles. This is an enormous, enormous area. At least thirty percent of the nation’s sea borne trade comes through the Port of Los Angeles. The Port of Seattle, which is a stepping stone into my state of Alaska, is a dynamic port which is has been experimenting to a great extent with how to bring about continuing inspection of container scanning. I have personally been through each of those ports to see what was being done. There is still a great many problems, but I must say people operating these ports, including those who are really the working people of the ports have gone out of their way to make certain that our ports are safe and secure and that the containers are in fact scanned. We want through this pilot program as soon possible to have one hundred percent of the containers in this country scanned.
This legislation will enhance the collection and analysis of information about cargo destined for our ports. Those in the shipping industry are our eyes and ears, and this bill aims to increase awareness of the operations at domestic and foreign ports. Once those in industry share important information about cargo in the international supply chain, we must analyze it quickly. This legislation expedites that process and ensures it begins even earlier in the supply chain – before containers even reach our shores. This Act requires information about cargo be provided and analyzed before the cargo is loaded on a vessel in a foreign port and shipped to our country. That will be a significant change.
This bill also expands several initiatives with a proven track record of success. There are currently five interagency operation centers set up and running throughout our country. These centers bring together federal, state, and local security enforcement officials to ensure communication among them. Our Act expands this effort to each of the major seaports, and places the Coast Guard in charge of oversight of these centers.
This bill builds upon the Department of Homeland Security’s past cooperation with foreign governments. The Container Security Initiative (CSI) contained within this bill will enable the Department, working in partnership with host government customs services, to examine high-risk containerized cargo at foreign seaports before it is loaded on vessels destined for the United States.
Another item in this bill is the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), a voluntary public-private partnership, is also strengthened in this bill. The Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection will now be able to certify that a business’s supply chain is secure from the point of manufacture to the product’s final U.S. destination. Under this legislation, whether cargo crosses our border at Laredo or arrives on a ship from Hong Kong, participating companies’ supply chains will undergo a thorough security check from the beginning to the end. This will add another layer of security to the C-TPAT initiative. Since this is a voluntary system, we have also included provisions which encourage those in industry to go above and beyond the security requirements already in place. These new incentives include expedited clearance of cargo.
I was disappointed by the public reaction to foreign investment in our port terminals, we learned a great deal from hearings held by the Commerce Committee on the matter, and as a result the bill requires the backgrounds of all port personnel to be vetted by the Department of Homeland Security. Current law requires the Transportation Security Administration to perform checks only for those workers directly tied to transportation at the port – for example truck drivers and longshoremen. From the Commerce Committee hearings, it was evident that a more stringent requirement was needed, and it is in this bill.
The events of September 11th, 2001, forever altered the course of our nation. We all know and realize that. I am not sure the Senate knows that Senator Inouye and I traveled to Ground Zero shortly after the attacks. It was a terrible and sad sight. It was also a stark reminder that we must do everything possible to prevent those who wish to harm Americans from carrying out their missions. To prevent future attacks, it is necessary to secure our ports. And this bill is a major step forward in this effort. Senator Inouye, my co-chairman on the Commerce Committee, and I thank Senators Grassley, Baucus, Collins and Lieberman, and I would also like to thank the staff members on each of the committees – they have worked tirelessly on this bill.
Each of the Committees involved in this bill has jurisdiction over an area vital to the safety of our ports. The Commerce Committee oversees issues related to the shipping industry, transportation security, and the Coast Guard. The Finance Committee oversees international trade and customs. Greater security of our ports and borders is central to the Homeland Security Committee’s mission. Working together, our three committees have developed a comprehensive bill which we hope will help shield our nation from future terrorist attacks. It is my hope our colleagues will support this Act and move quickly to pass this bill.
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30th - |
Mary Peters Confirmed as Secretary of Transportation today by U.S. Senate
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate today confirmed Mary Peters as Secretary for the Department of Transportation by unanimous consent. Peters was previously reported to the Senate by the Commerce Committee by a unanimous vote of 22 to 0. Peters served as Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration from 2001 to 2005 and prior to that spent three years directing the Arizona De...
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30th - |
Senate Approves CPB, Commerce, and Transportation Nominees
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today unanimously reported out several nominees including those nominated to the Board of Directors for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Corporation. The nominees were approved by the Senate Commerce Committee earlier...
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30th - |
House and Senate Agree on Sweeping Port Security Legislation
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today passed sweeping port security legislation, the Safe Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006 (SAFE Act), which represents a groundbreaking bi-partisan agreement among more than eight Congressional Committees and the House of Representatives. The bill will strengthen port security across the nation by establishing innovative programs to enhance the ability...
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29th - |
Senate Approves Measure to Repeal Wright Amendment
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today approved by unanimous consent S. 3661 sponsored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), which amends section 29 of the International Air Transportation Competition Act of 1979 relating to air transportation to and from Love Field, Texas. The legislation implements an agreement reached in June by the City of Dallas, the City of Ft. Worth, Southwest Airl...
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28th - |
Senator Stevens Makes Floor Statement on Be the Boss of What Your Kids Watch Campaign [ Video Clip ]
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) spoke tonight on the Senate floor about an educational campaign on television blocking technology.
His speech is as follows:
Those in the television, cable, and satellite industries recently launched the “Be the Boss of What Your Kids Watch” campaign. This campaign...
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27th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves CPB, Commerce, and Transportation Nominees
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce Science, Transportation Committee today unanimously reported out several nominees including those nominated to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Board of Directors for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Corpora...
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27th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Pool Safety Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce Committee today unanimously reported out S. 3718, the Pool and Spa Safety Act, sponsored by Sen. George Allen (R-Va). The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
S. 3718 would require manufacturers of drain covers to make and distribute only those drain covers that comply with anti-entrapment provisions of the national consensus standard. ...
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27th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Drought Information Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce Committee today unanimously approved S. 2751, the National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006, sponsored by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska). The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
The National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006 will create a drought early warning system that would maintain a web-based infor...
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27th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Anti-Doping Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce Committee today unanimously approved S. 529, a bill to designate a United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and cosponsored by Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.). The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
The bill designates th...
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27th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Fraud Prevention Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce Committee today unanimously reported out H.R. 3675, the American Spirit Fraud Prevention Act, sponsored by Rep. Charles Bass (R- N.H.). The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
The American Spirit Fraud Prevention Act would increase the penalties for individuals seeking to commit fraudulent solicitations in violation of federal law duri...
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27th - |
Stevens and Inouye Introduce Pipeline Safety Reauthorization Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce Committee Chairmen Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) today introduced comprehensive pipeline safety legislation. The bill (S.3961) is being co-sponsored by Sens. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). The measure would specifically reauthorize the Pipeline Safety Act for four years starting in 2007.
The measure would also...
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26th - |
U.S. Senate Passes Driver Safety Resolution
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate this week passed H. Con. Res. 235, a resolution identical to S. Con. Res. 71 which was unanimously approved by the Senate Commerce Committee on July 19, 2006.
This resolution expresses the Sense of Congress that states should require driver’s license applicants to demonstrate the ability to drive with increased caution near a potentiall...
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26th - |
Senate Passes National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2006
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today passed the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2006 (S. 3679), which was approved earlier this year by the Commerce Committee. The bill reauthorizes NTSB appropriations for two years ($79.6 million in Fiscal Year ‘07 and $84.4 million in Fiscal Year ’08) and was introduced by Senator Conrad Burns, th...
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25th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Unanimously Approves Mary Peters for Transportation Secretary
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate Commerce Committee reported out Mary Peters to be Secretary of Transportation in an off-the-floor markup by a unanimous vote of 22 to 0. Peters served as Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration from 2001 to 2005 and prior to that spent three years directing the Arizona Department of Transportation. Peters will now be considered by the full Se...
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21st - |
Stevens Receives Faith and Freedom Award from National Religious Broadcasters
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) this week received the “Faith and Freedom Award” from the National Religious Broadcasters. Chairman Stevens made the following remarks after accepting the award.
Senator Stevens: My great friend Mr. Don Nelson literally drove down here every year, and he would come spend some time with us. But he...
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21st - |
Stevens: Communications Bill Good for Consumers [ Video Clip ]
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) gave the following statement on the floor today in support of the Communications Bill approved earlier this summer by the Senate Commerce Committee.
Chairman Stevens: The Senate Commerce Committee reported to the Senate a bipartisan bill and it is critical that the Senate considers this bill here on the floor....
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20th - |
Chairman Stevens Pleased that Schools Will Not Lose E-Rate Funding Because of Missed Deadlines
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission last week issued an order to ensure 128 school districts around the nation will not lose their E-rate funding because of late filed applications. Last week’s order is consistent with a recent order by the full Commission in the "Bishop Perry Middle School" proceeding, which was released May 19, 2006. In the Bishop Perr...
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20th - |
Warren Bell Removed from Commerce Committee’s Thursday Nominations Agenda
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce Committee has removed the nomination of Mr. Warren Bell, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, from the Committee’s Thursday agenda. Bell was removed after several members of the Senate Commerce Committee expressed concerns. The nomination hearing is still scheduled for Thursday, September 21, 2006...
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19th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Nominations of FCC Chairman Martin and NTIA Nominee John Kneuer
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce Committee today unanimously reported out the nominations of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and John Kneuer, nominee to head the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The nominees were approved following an off-the-floor markup held this morning after the first vote on the Senate floor. The nominees now await consideration by the full Se...
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14th - |
Senate Approves Sweeping Port Security Legislation
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today approved comprehensive port security legislation (HR 4954 - The Port Security Improvement Act of 2006) sponsored by Senate Commerce Committee Co-Chairmen Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) along with members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.
“This bill will strengthen and enhance securit...
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12th - |
Stevens Fights to Help Nation’s First Responders
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) tonight filed an amendment to the port security legislation to assist the nation’s first responders and improve interoperability communications.
The amendment will provide more than $1 billion for interoperable communications equipment, planning and training. The funds will become available immediately after th...
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12th - |
Senate Approves Wireless Emergency Alert System
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today adopted a wireless emergency alert system as part of a larger comprehensive port security bill it is debating. The Senate included language from a Commerce Committee approved bill to establish the Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN). WARN is a national system for the transmission of public safety alerts across a broad variety of communications tec...
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8th - |
current Press Release |
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7th - |
Stevens and Inouye Bring Comprehensive Port Security Bill to the Floor
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce Committee Co-Chairmen Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) today brought comprehensive port security legislation to the floor of the Senate along with members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.
The Port Security Improvement Act of 2006 would strengthen maritime transportation and port security, imp...
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7th - |
Religious Groups and Others Declare Support for Communications Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fourteen religious and conservative family groups this week have declared their support for the comprehensive communications bill approved by the Senate Commerce Committee earlier this summer.
The letter states: “Communicating with our constituencies is of the utmost importance to us and is an invaluable tool as we seek to broaden our message on issues that are...
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