Port Security Legislation Introduced

With the goal of addressing real vulnerabilities at our nation's seaports, Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity, and Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), Member of the Homeland Security Committee, introduce the "Security and Accountability For Every (SAFE) Port Act." This bill is the companion to S. 2008, the "GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act," which was introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Norm Coleman (R-MN), and Patty Murray (D-WA).

"We have worked to develop comprehensive, bipartisan legislation that will improve the security of our national ports," Lungren and Harman said. "The SAFE Port Act strategically and practically guards against attacks on our shores and disruptions to our economy. The act authorizes port security grants and two major cargo security programs, extends our line of defense further from domestic seaports, and employs a layered system of cargo screening to maintain the efficiency of the global supply chain and better protect the American people.

"The threat to our national port security is too high and the consequences of an attack too great for the risk to be mitigated at such a slow pace," they said.

On Thursday, March 16, 2006, the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity will hold a hearing on the SAFE Port Act.