Smith Lauds Committee Passage of Maritime Security Bill
Legislation Improves Maritime Security Efforts in U.S. Ports
Washington, DC - Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed the Maritime Transportation Security Act (S. 2279). Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) voted in favor of the Act which improves port security in the U.S.
"Ports are economic engines for this country and we must ensure that our ports are as safe and secure as possible," Smith said. "It is imperative that we work to enhance the security of our country and protect our ports from terrorism."
The Maritime Transportation Security Act builds on existing maritime security law by requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Transportation (DOT) to complete and report on efforts to improve maritime security as required by existing law. Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to complete plans related to maritime information sharing, secure systems of transportation, radiation detection, and transportation worker background investigation programs. It also requires the Secretary to report to Congress on progress and designs for implementation. Additionally, the bill improves research and development in technology to bolster maritime security.
The Committee also approved an amendment to remove a provision of the bill implementing new "mandatory user fees" supported by Smith.
"The maritime industry is extremely important to Oregon," said Smith. "Special attention needs to be paid to all sectors of the maritime industry - the shipyards, the ocean carriers, the towboat operators, seafaring and longshore labor, and the fishing industry."
There are 23 ports in Oregon. In the Portland metro area alone there are over 75,000 marine related jobs and nearly a billion dollars generated in port-related annual economic activity.
