WASHINGTON – The passage of legislation to strengthen security at our nation's ports is critical to winning the War on Terror, according to Representative Adam H. Putnam (R-FL 12).

Putnam, who serves as Chairman of the House Policy Committee and is a member of the House Leadership, said that the bill will strengthen security at our nation's ports, eliminate weaknesses in the nation's defense system and make it more difficult for terrorists to mount an attack against our homeland.

H.R. 4954, the Security and Accountability for Every Port (SAFE) Act, passed the House on a bipartisan vote of 421 to 2, and moves to the Senate for consideration.

Key features of the bill include:

• Requiring the Department of Homeland Security to deploy nuclear and radiological inspection systems at 22 U.S. ports by the end of fiscal year 2007 and to establish standard inspection procedures for shipping containers;

• Providing $400 million per year to strengthen port security to prevent terrorist attacks; and

• Establishing training programs to ensure that our first responders, longshoremen, and port management possess the tools they need to protect our ports.

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