April 01, 2003   SENATOR COLLINS TO CO-CHAIR CONGRESSIONAL PORT SECURITY CAUCUS   WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Department of Homeland Security, announced today that she will co-chair the Congressional Port Security Caucus. The caucus, which will also be co-chaired by Senator Ernest Hollings (D-SC), Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) and its founder, Rep. Chris Bell (D-TX), will focus on the security needs of the nation’s ports. The bicameral, bipartisan organization currently has 85 members, representing the top 33 U.S. ports in terms of foreign tonnage imports. Portland, Maine, is the largest tonnage port in New England. It is the largest inbound foreign transit port in the United States in terms of tonnage and among the nation’s top 10 ports in total tonnage. The congressional caucus will act as a clearinghouse for information on issues and potential legislation that address port security. Its members want to ensure that port grant programs are adequately funded in a timely manner to provide all U.S. ports with an appropriate level of security equipment, technology and cargo screening. In a hearing before Collins’ committee last month, Captain Jeffrey Monroe, director of Portland’s Department of Ports and Transportation, testified that port directors often must act as mediators among the various federal agencies that are making new, often conflicting rules for securing port operations. “Port security procedures and policies need to be standardized and coordinated at the federal level,” Collins said. “In addition, we must streamline the federal grant process for port security and ensure that federal funding is accessible to all U.S. ports, regardless of size. This caucus will work diligently to attain those goals. We must ensure the safety of our ports, and the lives of those who live and work nearby.” Last month, Collins announced a bipartisan initiative with Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) to create a coordinated, community-based strategy for homeland security grant programs. The initiative includes a thorough analysis of port security needs and attempts to incorporate federal port security grant funds in the larger community-based strategy.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 April 2003 Press Releases   April 30 - Ridge to Testify Before Governmental Affairs Committee   April 30 - Collins Releases GAO Report Showing Slow Progress in the Nation's Smallpox Vaccination Program   April 30 - Collins Announces Maine to Receive $5.7 Million Homeland Security Grant Award Another $15.2 Million is Available   April 15 - Congress Approves Additional $20 Million For Port Security, But Collins Says More Is Needed   April 10 - Statement by Senator Collins on the Introduction of the "Sunshine in Iraq Reconstruction Contracting Act of 2003   April 9 - House Passes Collins' Postal Reform   April 9 - Collins Introduces Legislation to Increase Flexibility in Homeland Security Grants   April 8 - Senator Collins Begins Hearings to Streamline and Enhance Homeland Security Grant Programs   April 8 - Senator Collins Introduces Bill to Streamline Federal Homeland Security Grant Programs   April 7 - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee to Hold First in a Series of Homeland Security Hearings   April 3 - Senate Approves Collins’ Legislation to Lower Postal Service Costs   April 3 - Bipartisan Amendment Calls for Explanations on Awarding of Iraqi Reconstruction Contracts   April 1 current Press Release   April 1 - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee to Hold Nominations Hearing   April 1 - Governmental Affairs Committee to Hold Nominations Hearing
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510