Maritime security measure gathers bipartisan support

March 7, 2006

A proposed overhaul of U.S. maritime security programs, including changes aimed at beefing up cargo inspections at foreign and American ports, is rapidly drawing bipartisan support, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Monday.

Collins and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., told reporters they believe their "Greenlane Maritime Cargo Security Act" will address concerns that have been raised in recent weeks since news broke that a Dubai company wants to manage port terminal operations in the United States.


Companion legislation will be introduced soon in the House by Homeland Security Chairman Rep. Peter King, D-N.Y., Intelligence ranking member Jane Harman, D-Calif., and Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif., said Collins, adding that she plans to hold a hearing on her own bill in late March, followed by an April markup.


The Collins-Murray bill would provide $835 million a year for maritime security using existing fees collected by Customs and Border Protection. It would also require the Homeland Security Department to take several steps to strengthen the government's efforts abroad and domestically.

more...

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0306/030706cdam2.htm

Security is not something you can brush on. You have to bake it in.