(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) who with Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) wrote the GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act to increase security standards for cargo entering our country, today applauded the House approval of the Safe Ports Act, which was based on the Murray-Collins bill.
“I applaud the House of Representatives for their swift action on this critical legislation. The American people need to know that our ports are secure and the cargo entering our country is safe, no matter whose hands it may have passed through, and that’s what this bill will do,” Senator Murray said. “I look forward to the Senate following suit and bringing the GreenLane bill to the floor to help ensure that our communities and economy are safe and secure.”
The Murray-Collins GreenLane Maritime Cargo Security Act, which was introduced in November 2005 and passed by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday, is now expected to move to the floor for a vote by the entire Senate.
Specifically the GreenLane bill would:
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Protect Americans by making our cargo and seaports more secure – mitigating a dangerous vulnerability. -
Help prevent a lengthy shutdown of America’s seaports in the event of an incident – protecting America’s economy from severe disruption. -
Provide layered security at every step of the supply chain while keeping it efficient. -
Push the borders out so we can focus our limited resources on suspect cargo.
The bill improves security at America’s ports by establishing:
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The GreenLane, comprised of supply chain participants who voluntarily meet the highest level of security, allows our security services to better identify and respond to potential threats and provides real incentives to importers to enhance their supply chain security measures. -
Minimum security standards for all cargo containers entering the U.S. and requirements that strengthen current cargo security programs. -
The Office of Cargo Security Policy to ensure accountability and coordination of cargo security policies, procedures & regulations at the Department of Homeland Security and with other agencies. -
Joint Operations Centers to ensure a coordinated, measured response and the resumption and flow of commerce in the event of an incident or heightened national security threat level. -
The Act also authorizes port security grants, the Container Security Initiative and C-TPAT, and authorizes $835 million for port security generated through the collection of customs fees.
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