Nadler, Oberstar Introduce Bill to Scan All Containers Bound
for the U.S.

S.O.S. Act Would Ensure All Containers Bound for the U.S. Are Scanned for Nuclear Weapons,
Suspicious Materials

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN), ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today announced the introduction of a new port security measure.  The Sail Only if Scanned (S.O.S.) Act, H.R. 4899, would mandate that every container bound for the United States is scanned for nuclear weapons and bomb-making materials.

“No container should be placed on a ship bound for the United States unless it has been screened for nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and their components,” Congressman Nadler said.  “The Bush Administration has refused to act on this front, and appears content to screen less than 5 percent of the 11 million shipping containers that enter this country every year.  That’s appalling.”

“Since 9/11, the Administration has implemented port security measures to make us feel good, without really providing security.  Feeling good is not good enough,” Congressman Oberstar said.  “It is time for Congress to act.  We must have effective port security standards and procedures in place before a terrorist uses the marine transportation system as a stealth missile.”

Controversy surrounding the proposed sale of American port interests to Dubai Ports World sparked widespread outrage and renewed focus on the critical question of port security in this country:  regardless of who owns our port facilities, we are not doing nearly enough to screen the containers that arrive on our shores for weapons.

The United States cannot own or control the entire global trade network, but the United States can and should ensure the security of every container destined for this country.  Security experts agree that nuclear weapons or bomb-making materials could easily be smuggled into the country under the current system.  We must correct this vulnerability before it’s too late.

In order to ensure that every container is checked for radiological or other hazardous substances, H.R. 4899 would mandate:

·         That all containers be scanned using the best-available technology, including scanning for radiation and density, before they are loaded onto a ship destined for the United States;

·         That the scans be reviewed by American security personnel before the container is loaded; and

·         That the containers be sealed with a device that indicates if the container has been tampered with in transit, and that would notify U.S. officials of a breach before the container enters the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States.

The cost of implementing this security system is minimal.  In fact, the estimated cost to scan a container is only $6.50 – a drop in the bucket, given that it costs about $4,000 to ship a container from Asia to the United States.  

“The only way to eliminate vulnerability at our ports is to make 100-percent scanning the policy of the United States,” Congressman Nadler added.  “The S.O.S. Act would do just that.”

Eleven additional members of Congress have joined Nadler and Oberstar as original cosponsors of the S.O.S. Act: Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Congressman Robert Brady (D-PA), Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ), Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Congressman Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Congressman Timothy Bishop (D-NY), Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), and Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA). 

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