Panel OKs test program for 100 percent cargo scanning
Measure would require DHS to create test programs at three foreign ports within a year.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved a major maritime security bill Tuesday that would require the Homeland Security Department to take steps toward scanning all cargo containers at foreign ports before they are shipped to the United States.
While marking up the measure, the committee approved an amendment that would require Homeland Security to set up test programs at three foreign ports within a year through which all cargo containers will be given a radiation and image scan before being loaded on ships bound for the United States.
After analyzing results from the test programs, Homeland Security would be required to implement a program for scanning all U.S.-bound cargo at every foreign port "as soon as practicable and possible."
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., said the amendment originally called for Homeland Security to scan all cargo at every foreign port within five years. But he said he knew that language would not be approved by the Republican majority so he changed his amendment.
"We want it done as soon as possible," he said. The amendment was approved unanimously by voice vote. An aide said Homeland Security would be responsible for identifying the three ports for the test programs within 90 days of the bill becoming law.
Containers at the ports would have to undergo non-intrusive radiation and imaging scans, the aide added. The department would be responsible for determining other technology standards.
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, said the test programs would give Homeland Security some time to determine how a global program for scanning all cargo could be implemented.
Senate Homeland Security Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Norm Coleman, R-Minn., said he would like Homeland Security to have a system in place within three years for scanning all U.S.-bound cargo for at least radiological material. He did not, however, introduce an amendment that would have set such a deadline.
The underlying bill was approved 9-1 by members attending the markup, with Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., casting the only dissenting vote, without an explanation. The tally changed to 14-2 after proxies were counted, with Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, joining Domenici in dissent.
Sponsored by Collins and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the bill would provide $835 million a year for maritime security using existing Customs and Border Protection fees, require a comprehensive strategic plan for supply-chain security, and require Homeland Security to develop a program for quickly resuming maritime commerce in the event of a terrorist attack.