Senator seeks further protections against nuclear attack by terrorists

Media Release

September 13, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today turned its attention to seaport security and just this afternoon passed a measure by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson that aims to supply nuclear detection equipment to all of the country’s 361 ports. The move is intended to prevent a catastrophic terrorist attack.

“Opportunities for terrorists to do us harm are as great - or greater - in our shipping ports as they are in commercial aviation,” Nelson said in a homeland security speech to the Senate, echoing a threat raised by the presidential commission that examined the events of 9-11.

“Most experts agree our ports are not only vulnerable, but also the damage resulting from an attack there could be catastrophic,” Nelson told the Senate. “Our Department of Homeland Security says three-out-of-four American ports do not have equipment to screen for nuclear weapons or so-called ‘dirty bombs’ – a conventional weapon designed to spread radioactive material.”

Prior to his floor speech, Nelson filed his amendment to a broader port security bill pending before the Senate. The broader bill called for placing nuclear detection equipment only at the nation’s 22 busiest container ports by the end of next year. But it didn’t apply to 66 other ports that also handle big containers or to 273 secondary ports, like ones for cruise ships.

Specifically, Nelson’s amendment requires homeland security officials to develop a strategy to ensure that every U.S. port has equipment to detect radioactive material. “I believe this will make all of us much safer,” Nelson said. “There’s been enough delay. It’s time to do this – and, do it right.” The Senate approved the measure unanimously.

The Florida lawmaker is a member of the Senate’s Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities. His state is home to 14 deepwater ports – only six of which are among the 22 busy ports that would be covered by the Senate bill and only four of those have the advanced radiation equipment.

Nelson also noted that only six-percent of the cargo is inspected as it arrives at the docks of U.S ports, where security came under scrutiny immediately following the 2001 attacks. Various studies have asserted the need for additional security, including the report by the 9-11 commission.

Port security legislation covering the 22 busiest ports, plus studying all the other ports of entry, has passed the U.S. House of Representatives – meaning a final bill should include Nelson’s provision. When the Senate passes its port security bill this week, with the Nelson provision, it will go to a House-Senate conference committee and then to the president.

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