View From the Hill
U.S. Port Security and the SAFE Port Act
While the security of our homeland has improved significantly since September 11th, 2001, the simple fact is that more must be done, especially when it comes to our domestic port security. Given the very real threat of another terrorist attack, the United States must continue to increase port security, harden our critical infrastructure, and take a global approach to protecting U.S. ports in order to prevent threats from ever reaching our shores. At the Committee on Homeland Security, port security remains our top priority.
Every year, almost 10 million shipping containers arrive in United States seaports from overseas. And they come from all over the world—Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. Recognizing that a lack of security at our seaports represents a significant gap in our efforts to secure the homeland, U.S. Representatives Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) and Jane Harman (D-Calif.) introduced the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act—more commonly referred to as the “SAFE Port” Act. The bill takes the necessary steps to enhance security at U.S. ports, prevent threats from reaching the U.S. through overseas screening and security, and track and protect shipping containers en route to the U.S.
The SAFE Port Act incorporates several important measures that will greatly enhance domestic port security. The bill requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deploy nuclear and radiological detection systems at all domestic seaports to prevent a nuclear weapon from entering our country. The bill also provides a total of $7.4 billion in federal funding to our ports, to enhance security measures nationwide. These funds will be distributed on a risk-based system, going to the areas that need it most. Finally, the bill requires background checks on all port employees with access to secure areas, and improves port security communication and information-sharing at the federal, state and local levels.
But we must do more than just increase our domestic security. By taking a global approach to shipping and cargo security, we can prevent threats from ever reaching our shores. In recognition of DHS’ global efforts, the SAFE Port Act takes steps to enhance two important programs: the Container Security Initiative (CSI), and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. The Container Security Initiative enables DHS to examine high-risk maritime cargo at foreign ports, and the SAFE Port Act authorizes additional equipment and training for overseas ports and inspectors. C-TPAT is a partnership-based program that increases transparency and security along the supplychain worldwide. The SAFE Port Act sets minimum standards for inclusion in the program and provides benefits for the most trusted participants, in order to encourage private sector participation. Through these two programs, we will be able to screen cargo overseas, adding an important, additional layer of security.
Finally, the bill will help track and protect shipments en route to the United States through improvements to high-risk cargo targeting and tracking systems by requiring DHS to collect additional shipment information, enhancing coordination within DHS, and boosting research and development activities to provide the department with state-of-the-art technology.
The Committee on Homeland Security held multiple hearings on the SAFE Port Act, and passed the bill on May 4. Passing a comprehensive, bipartisan port security bill was one of the most important things we’ll do this year.
We must do everything in our power to prevent another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. That means continuing to strengthen our domestic security through measures like the SAFE Port Act. As long as our ports remain vulnerable, so do the American people. ♦
