Providing for Consideration of H.R. 4954, Security and Accountability for Every Port Act

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4954, SECURITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR EVERY PORT ACT -- (House of Representatives - May 03, 2006)

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Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I support this rule and the underlying legislation.

We all know that port security has been news across the United States in recent weeks, and it should be.

The U.S. ports are on the front lines of homeland security. My home state of Texas has several major seaports, including Galveston, Brownsville and Houston, that offer potential routes for dangerous cargo and terrorist weapons.

This bill, the SAFE Ports Act of 2005, will help ensure that Americans feel confident that the U.S. Government is protecting them from yet another threat.

It does so by imposing security requirements on overseas shippers and ports where cargo starts its journey to the United States, on cargo transportation while enroute to the United States, and at the ports within the United States--the last staging area before cargo makes its way into the country.

Also, this bill requires the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to employ standards for sealing all containers entering the Unites States within two years of enactment. It also requires the Secretary to deploy nuclear and radiological detection systems at 22 U.S. seaports by the end of fiscal year 2007.

These are good ways to ensure port security, and there are many more included in the bill.

I thank Chairman KING of Iowa, Chairman DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California, and ranking member HARMAN for their work on much-needed legislation, and urge my colleagues to support the Rule.

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