WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today supported final passage of legislation that will address critical shortcomings in U.S. port security.  H.R. 4954, the SAFE Port Act of 2006, passed in the House of Representatives by a margin of 421-2.

 

“The recent attempt of a company in Dubai to purchase the contracts to operate six major U.S. ports was a much-needed wake-up call for U.S. homeland security.  A wide focus is necessary to protect us from foreign threats, including border security, airline security, and the ports through which containers from around the world enter our country,” Emerson said.  “This effort will deploy new, sensitive detection systems for radiological threats, increase cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement, and establish a secure communications system so everyone knows what everyone else is doing.  These efforts are essential on a day-to-day basis as well as in times of crisis.  We have to work very hard to make sure that dangerous containers do
not reach American shores and track all of these shipments from other countries while they are enroute.  It is a stark truth that our homeland security is only as effective as its weakest point – and we cannot afford for our ports or our borders to be that chink in our armor.”

 

The SAFE Port Act outlines three areas to improve port security: on-site security, in-transit tracking, and prevention of overseas threats.