Port Security Bill Passes House

The House of Representatives passed the Security and Accountability For Every 'SAFE' Port Act. The legislation is a comprehensive, bipartisan port security bill that will enhance security at United States ports, track and protect containers en route to the United States, and prevent threats from reaching U.S. soil. It would provide $7.4b in spending on new port-security inspectors, nuclear-weapons screening and the development of an automated system to pinpoint high-risk cargo. With an additional $7.4b over the next five years, the legislation would bolster the Homeland Security Department's existing Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, requiring the deployment of nuclear- and radiological-detection systems to all domestic seaports. It also sets up new tracking systems to discover and monitor high-risk cargo, and it would accelerate the creation of a new transportation-worker identification card. The following is a statement by President Bush: I am pleased that the House of Representatives today passed a bill to enhance the security of our Nation's ports. I look forward to working with Congress on passage of legislation that will make our people safer and facilitate trade.