Press Release
MAY 4, 2006
CONGRESSWOMAN SUSAN
DAVIS VOTES
TO INCREASE PORT SECURITY
Davis supports 100% check of containers entering U.S. ports
Washington - With the strong support of Congresswoman Susan Davis, the House of Representatives passed legislation requiring port security improvements at all of the nation's 361 ports. The Security and Accountability for Every Port (SAFE Port) Act was overwhelmingly approved, 422-2.
"This legislation will help bring some peace of mind to Americans concerned about port security," said Rep. Davis, a cosponsor of the bill. "There are still some issues to be resolved, such as screening all containers entering the U.S. But this bill sets commonsense standards for various inspections and improvements and contains a process for identifying funds to meet the emerging security requirements."
The SAFE Port Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to add 200 full-time port-of-entry inspectors each year through 2012.
The bill sets employee background checks and immigration verification and establishes a deadline for the development of security cards for port employees. It also requires port security officers to be U.S. citizens.
Within 180 days of enactment, the DHS must report to Congress the names of individuals or entities that own or operate a U.S. port.
To aid ports in meeting the new requirements, the bill creates a grants program dedicated to providing financial assistance based on risk and need.
The bill did not require all containers entering U.S. ports be screened. However, Davis cast a vote in favor of a Democratic motion to require additional language for screening all containers. The bill does require looking at the feasibility of installing next-generation cargo scanning technology at foreign ports.
A pilot program at two of the busiest terminals in Hong Kong currently scans and conducts radiation detection tests of all containers. Under the bill, the DHS would be required to develop a plan for radiation detection at all U.S ports.
U.S. seaports handle more than 95 percent of our nation's foreign trade - with millions of containers arriving in our ports each year.