(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a
senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the port
security grant program, a key part of her landmark SAFE
Ports Act, received $350 million in the 2011 Homeland Security Appropriations
bill. The bill passed the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Committee
today.
“This is a big victory for the security infrastructure of our
nation’s ports,” said Senator Murray. “These grants mean more bomb and
chemical detectors, cameras, and security gates. They also mean more funding
for the security operations and training that are critical to responding to an
incident. I am committed to keeping these grants fully funded so that our ports
– the economic engines of our state – remain secure.”
The Department of Homeland Security awards the grants on a
competitive basis based on risk. In 2009, ports in the Puget Sound, along
the Columbia River and in Grays Harbor received over $30 million in port
security grants.
Senator Murray is a national leader in port security. She
authored the SAFE Port Act, which was signed into law in October 2006, and took
critical steps forward in securing our nation’s ports, while keeping trade
moving efficiently.
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