Congress Plans New Cargo Security Laws

Congress is preparing legislation to improve U.S. national standards on cargo security. The two bills in Congress gaining the most support are the "Greenlane Maritime Cargo Security bill" in the Senate and the "Security and Accountability For Every Port bill" in the House of Representatives. The bills would not mandate specific actions that must be taken with regard to screening abroad or container seals. Instead, the bills would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive strategic plan within six months "to enhance international supply chain security for all modes of transportation by which containers arrive in, depart from, or move through seaports of the United States." The bills would also direct the Department of Homeland Security to study technology for container seals. And they would require the department to maintain a specific grant program for improving security at U.S. ports. (Source: UPI)