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WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a $6 billion port security bill Thursday that would implement programs at home and abroad in an effort to bolster defenses against terrorist attacks.
The Port Security Improvement Act authorizes the funding over six years to improve security at ports and railways, as well as a pilot program at three foreign ports to test and establish a screening system for radiation within one year. The legislation also would require 22 ports to establish procedures and technology to examine all U.S. containers for radiation by the end of next year.
After five days of debate that saw both parties making national security an election-year issue, the Senate voted 98-0 in favor of the bill, which must go to a conference committee and be reconciled with a House bill that was passed in May.
Retailers and wholesalers that imported $89.2 billion worth of apparel and textiles last year were relieved the Senate rejected attempts by Democrats to require 100 percent screening in foreign ports of all containers coming to the U.S., arguing technologies need to undergo more testing and fine-tuning before such a goal can be set.
“The bill the Senate will pass today not only strengthens security at our land and seaports, it addresses truck, rail and pipeline security,” said Sen. Ted Stevens (R., Alaska), a key committee chairman who shepherded the bill through the Senate. “I believe it is the most comprehensive approach to border security we have taken.”
Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine), another key leader on the bill, said it is “major port security legislation that will provide structure and resources needed to better protect the American people from attack through ports that are both points of entry and vital centers of economic activity.”
Democrats maintained the bill fell short of what is needed.
The Senate voted 61-37 to table an amendment offered by Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) that would have required, within four years, that every container entering the U.S. pass through a three-layered scanning system similar to one used at the port of Hong Kong. The move essentially kills the plan.
“The bill before us has a pilot program for three foreign ports to find out if it is feasible and practical,” Collins said. “Can we do 100 percent scanning without slowing the flow of commerce? Right now, it appears we cannot.”