Etheridge Calls for 100 Percent Container Inspection at U.S. Ports

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

May 4, 2006

Contact: Joanne Peters
Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge Calls for 100 Percent
Container Inspection at U.S. Ports

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge today called on Congress to require the scanning of 100 percent of containers entering America through ports.

Etheridge voted for H.R. 4954, the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act, which would provide an additional $5 billion in federal funds for port security and strengthen port security requirements. Etheridge supported a proposed amendment that would have required 100 percent screening of containers entering U.S. seaports. However the House Republican leadership denied the U.S. House the opportunity to vote on the amendment.

"I am very disappointed that the leadership has denied the American people the opportunity to debate and vote on an amendment to require the scanning of 100 percent of the containers entering this country. This wink-and-nod approach to container inspection endangers Americans," said Etheridge.

"Every farmer, every business person and every consumer in America relies on the products that come through our nation's ports, and it is the responsibility of Congress to ensure that our country's maritime commerce is cost effective, efficient and above all safe."

The amendment would have required that 100 percent of shipping containers be scanned and sealed using the best available technology before being loaded onto ships destined for the United States. The containers must be scanned by both X-ray machines and radiation detectors. Large ports would be given three years to comply and smaller ports five years.

Approximately 95 percent of U.S. trade enters through seaports. However currently, only five percent of containers are screened.

-30-