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Congressman
Paul Ryan
Closing Gaps in National Security: Protecting our Ports
It is essential that the United States continue to increase domestic port security and critical infrastructure defenses. Our vulnerable seaports represent a gap in our national security. In February 2006, Dubai Ports World (DPW) completed a $6.8 billion acquisition of operations at six U.S. ports, including Baltimore, Miami, New Orleans, New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. This agreement raised serious concerns because it effectively placed port operations under the control of a company that is largely owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) approved the Dubai Ports World deal. CFIUS consists of 12 government agencies, including the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, and State, among others. Unfortunately, none of the Secretaries at the pertinent agencies were notified of the transaction before it was approved.
I was concerned about DPW’s potential control of commercial operations at six U.S. ports and thought a transaction like this should have been subjected to further scrutiny. While the agreement has since been dismissed, I believe Congress must obtain greater oversight over any transactions that may impact our homeland security. I am a cosponsor of legislation that would ensure that all transactions, mergers, and acquisitions that involve a foreign government would be subject to the 45-day investigation under CFIUS to determine whether they would affect national security. It would also require that the appropriate congressional committees in Congress be given an opportunity to review these transactions. Congress is in the process of considering CFIUS reform legislation, and I will work to see it enacted.
The controversy surrounding the Dubai Ports World issue highlighted the need for better port security. We only screen 5% of the containers that enter this country and we must do better than that. To help address this problem, the House passed H.R. 4954, the SAFE Port Act of 2006, on May 4, 2006. It is currently pending in the Senate. H.R. 4954, which provides a total of $7.4 billion to enhance port security, will strengthen our cargo inspection process and further build on existing initiatives. Among the bill’s main provisions are the following:
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Improves the Automated Targeting System by improving our risk assessments and screening of cargo, and calls for the scanning (or physical inspection) of all high-risk containers;
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Invests in better nuclear detection capabilities and expands participation in our various cargo security programs;
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Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deploy nuclear and radiological detection systems at 22 U.S. seaports by then end of Fiscal Year (FY2007), which will cover 98% of incoming maritime containers;
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Revives Operation Safe Commerce, devoting $25 million per year to improve use of the private sector, increase research and development, and enhance coordination with the DHS; and
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Takes a global approach to shipping and cargo security by taking steps to enhance two important international screening programs: the Container Security Initiative and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program.
Strengthening Our Borders and Reforming Our Immigration Laws.
I believe that our current immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed. This system does not help protect our country from terrorists who might exploit its loopholes and flaws. Illegal immigration, which is a direct result of this flawed system, is an affront to the rule of law and an unacceptable security risk for all Americans. It is vital that we secure our borders and promote immigration reform that truly fixes the problems we face.
On December 16, 2005, the House passed the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act. This bill, which is awaiting consideration in the Senate, strengthens many of our laws against illegal immigration. It includes an employee verification system, increased penalties for alien smuggling, and increased cooperation between border sheriffs and federal law enforcement. This legislation also provides for tougher penalties on alien gangs and better surveillance of our borders.
This makes the necessary first step in the process of enacting a comprehensive reform package and it contains important provisions to enhance border security and protect against terrorist infiltration. The Senate is currently working on its own version of immigration reform. While many support strengthening our borders, a lack of agreement on how to deal with the estimated 11-13 million illegal immigrants living among us has resulted in an ongoing debate in both houses of Congress. In 2006, I am hopeful that Congress will ultimately pass comprehensive reform that addresses the issue of temporary workers and makes our immigration system operate more efficiently and realistically. As Congress proceeds, I think it is essential that any immigration reform respect the rule of law.
National Security Agency (NSA) Wiretaps and Phone Record Database.
In May 2006, USA Today revealed the NSA has been collecting phone records from three of the nation’s largest telecommunication companies since September 11, 2001. Previously, it was revealed that President Bush authorized the NSA to intercept international communications in and out of the United States involving persons linked to al Qaeda or related terrorist organizations. The purpose of the wiretaps is to establish an early warning system to detect and prevent another catastrophic terrorist attack on the homeland.
While I believe that it is essential that we give our President all of the tools necessary in order to protect our nation against the threat of terrorism, Congress has a responsibility to conduct oversight over national security programs and ensure that the civil liberties of all Americans are being protected. These NSA issues raise a lot of important and unsettled legal questions that Congress should further explore. There are plans to hold congressional hearings on the NSA wiretapping and database policies in the Senate. I support these hearings. Furthermore, if it is determined that it is necessary, I would also support passing legislation to narrowly define the President’s power to make sure that our civil liberties are not being infringed upon by the government while it strives to protect the nation.
First Responder Funding.
Despite funding constraints, Congress has made funding for first responder programs a priority. The House Appropriations Committee recently had a markup of the FY 2007 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. This bill, which is expected to come before the House of Representatives this summer, provides $32.08 billion. This is $1.07 billion above the President’s request and $1.8 billion above the funding level for Fiscal Year 2006 (FY2006).
The bill includes $3.2 billion for first responders – this is in addition to the $5.1 billion that is still in the pipeline waiting to be spent. Since September 11th, we have provided $37.4 billion for first responders. Additionally, the bill includes a provision requiring DHS to develop a preparedness strategy and measure the performance of first responders. It also includes: $1.165 billion for high-density urban areas, $750 million for urban area grants, $150 million for rail security, $200 million for port security, and $65 million for other infrastructure protection. Finally, the bill provides $545 million for basic formula grants, $500 million for firefighter grants and $40 million for the SAFER program, and $400 million for State and local law enforcement terrorism prevention grants.
Additional Information.
For more information on the homeland security, please refer to the following websites.
The
White House: www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/
The
Select Committee on Homeland Security: http://hsc.house.gov/ |
