Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today in favor of the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act, directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a strategic plan to increase security within the maritime transportation system.  The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives 421 to 2.

Larsen released the following statement on his vote:

“The debate surrounding the Dubai Ports World acquisition brought the vulnerabilities of port security to the forefront of security discussions in the United States. 

“This debate highlighted an inescapable fact: our layered defense for port security is full of holes and gaps.  The American Association of Port Authorities has reported that its member ports requested over $3.7 billion in port security money from 2002 to 2005. Only $700 million was awarded–an 81 percent shortfall in funding port security needs.

“The Government Accountability Office found in two separate reports that 35 percent of high-risk containers coming to the United States went un-inspected and only 13 percent of companies in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism had completed their security background checks.

“And earlier this year, the President’s proposed federal budget eliminated the Port Security Grant program altogether.  In fact, at the same time the federal government has spent over $18 billion on airport security, we have spent only $680 million on port security.

“In passing the SAFE Port Act, Congress has taken swift action to strengthen our port security by setting minimum security standards, adopting technology to monitor the contents of containers entering U.S. ports, and funding the Container Security Initiative (CSI), a program that checks containers before they get to the U.S.

“I will push hard to adequately fund port security to ensure our nation remains safe and secure.

Larsen is an original co-sponsor of the SAFE Port Act. This bi-partisan and comprehensive legislation will:

• Direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a strategy for cargo and maritime security including a timeline, and a plan for the resumption of trade in the event of an attack. 
• Establish a Director of Cargo Security Policy at DHS to coordinate supply chain programs throughout the department.
  
• Establish minimum security standards for all cargo containers entering the U.S.
  
• Create a dedicated stream of funding for port security grants.  Specifically, it authorizes $400 million annually from FY 2007-FY 2012 for a dedicated grant program.
  
• Authorize the Container Security Initiative (CSI) program and provide it with $196 million annually from FY 2007-FY 2012; and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program and provide $75 million annually from FY 2007-FY 2012.
  
• Establish joint operations centers in the U.S. to ensure a coordinated approach and response in the event of a threat or attack.
  Focus on research and development efforts to improve maritime and cargo security. 
  
• Check the names of all employees in secure port areas against terrorist watch lists.

In addition, Larsen recently voted for an amendment in the House Armed Services Committee that would add $15 million into the Department of Energy’s Megaports program to install radiation detectors in foreign ports.

Congressman Larsen represents Washington state’s 2nd Congressional District.  Washington is home to several major ports and is the third largest exporting state in the nation.  According to the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, the state handles 7% of all U.S. exports and receives a 6% share of the nation’s imports. 

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