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Ryan
Votes for Bill to Boost Port Security
WASHINGTON
– Wisconsin’s First District Congressman Paul Ryan today voted for
legislation to strengthen our nation’s port security system and make cargo
more secure from the point of origin to its arrival in the United States.
This legislation, H.R. 4954 – the
Security and Accountability for Every Port Act, passed the House with
overwhelming support by a vote of 421-2.
“Earlier
this year, the debate about who would be allowed to manage our nation’s ports
drew attention to the serious need for better cargo screening and other
remaining gaps in our port security system.
This legislation is a solid step forward that would help improve the
security of shipments headed for our nation’s shores,” Ryan said.
The
SAFE Port Act works to enhance security and protect cargo containers at every
stage – from their point of origin, in transit, and at U.S. ports.
Among
its provisions, the legislation:
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Requires
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deploy nuclear and radiological
detection systems at twenty-two U.S. seaports by the end of Fiscal Year
2007, which will cover 98 percent of incoming maritime containers, and to
establish standard operating procedures for examining containers.
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Provides
$400 million in risk-based funding through a dedicated Port Security Grant
Program to harden U.S. ports against terrorist attacks and enhance
capabilities to respond to attacks and resume operations.
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Sets
deadlines for DHS implementation of the Transportation Worker Information
Credential program, a biometrically-enhanced identification card for access
to secure U.S. seaport facilities. In
the interim, requires DHS to conduct terrorist watch-list and immigration
status checks of all U.S. port employees with access to secure areas within
90 days of enactment.
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Requires
the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop standards for sealing
containers en route to the United States within 180 days and implementation
within two years.
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Improves
the Automated Targeting System (ATS), which is designed to identify
high-risk containers before they reach American soil, by requiring DHS to
collect additional cargo data from importers bringing material through U.S.
ports.
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Codifies
the existing Container Security Initiative (CSI), which enables DHS to
examine high-risk maritime cargo at foreign seaports, and requires DHS to
conduct security assessments for foreign ports that seek to participate in
the CSI program. The bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to
refuse high-risk cargo that the host nation refuses to inspect.
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Codifies
and strengthens the existing Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism
program, which creates partnerships between DHS and the private sector to
establish transparency in the supply chain, enhance security measures, and
encourage information sharing.
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Contact: Kate
Matus (202) 226-7326
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