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Homeland Security Subcommittee Unanimously Approves Port Security Bill

03/01/06

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, the Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity, Chaired by Rep. Dan Lungren (CA-03), unanimously approved H.R. 4954, The Security and Accountability For Every (SAFE) Port Act.  The SAFE Port Act, authored by Chairman Lungren (CA-03) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jane Harman (CA-36), was introduced on March 14th, 2006, and will now be reported to the full committee.  The bill is companion legislation to the GreenLane bill (S. 2008), co-sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (ME) and Patty Murray (WA), introduced in the Senate November 15, 2005.

Following the markup, Chairman Lungren praised the committee for its support of this important legislation, saying, "I am pleased to see a sense of urgency has been adopted by the members of this subcommittee, the full committee, and the House.  The vulnerability of our seaports has become an important issue in recent months, and the need for legislation that addresses those vulnerabilities is long overdue."

Chairman Lungren continued, "the SAFE Port Act is a bipartisan, comprehensive port security bill that will improve the security of our national port network and protect American lives.  The SAFE Port Act closes the gaps in our port security framework and strengthens the maritime transportation system through a multi-layered security strategy that builds on existing initiatives to secure the supply chain from the point of origin to delivery in the United States.  This legislation focuses on improving security, both at home and abroad, by expanding capabilities, maximizing available resources, and pushing our borders outward to ensure American shores are our last line of defense, not our first."

The following amendments were offered and accepted by the subcommittee:

  • An Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute offered by Mr. Lungren to make improvements to the base bill.  The key changes are a requirement that the Department of Homeland Security, in addition to the manifest data it already receives, collect entry data from importers prior to loading containers overseas and an implementation deadline and roll-out schedule for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.
  • An amendment offered by Ms. Sanchez to establish a pilot program to evaluate and improve the security of empty containers at U.S. seaports.
  • An amendment offered by Ms. Sanchez to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to complete the pilot program for third party validations for C-TPAT prior to expanding the use of third party validations.
  • An amendment offered by Mr. Linder to establish a pilot program to begin operational testing of next generation radiation detection systems in U.S. ports.
  • An amendment offered by Mr. Jindal to enhance information sharing between the Department of Homeland Security and the private sector through the use of a secure communication system.

The House Homeland Security Committee has tentatively scheduled a legislative hearing on the SAFE Port Act for Tuesday, April 4th.  Chairman Lungren is also scheduled to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday, April 5th to discuss the GreenLane Act and the importance of comprehensive port security legislation.