Port security

N.J. Sens Act After Bush Administration Admits It Will Miss Deadline To Screen 100 Percent Of Nation's Cargo

June 23, 2008 -- NEWARK, NJ – Today, Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) joined executives from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as they announced their introduction of a new bill to increase security at the nation’s 361 ports.

Their bill comes after the Bush Administration admitted to Senator Lautenberg that it will miss a deadline to screen 100 percent of the nation’s cargo for radiological and nuclear weapons. Their bill would, for the first time, create minimum security standards for all containers entering the United States.    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton issued the following statement today in reaction to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that reveals gaps in a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program designed to strengthen port security:

Container ship: Photo by Patrick Boury (CC)    » read more »

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Coast Guard alerted the maritime community today that Iran has been placed on the port security advisory list.

The Coast Guard determined that Iran has not maintained effective anti-terrorism measures. The determination was made in accordance with the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, which authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into account several factors, including whether a foreign port poses a high risk of introducing terrorism to international maritime commerce.    » read more »

October 4, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chairman of the Commerce, Science & Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, issued the following statement at this morning’s hearing on port security:    » read more »

August 16, 2007 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released today supplemental Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 grant guidance and application kits for three grant programs: the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP), Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP), and Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program. The supplemental announcement of $260 million is in addition to $567 million awarded from the regular FY 2007 appropriations for these programs, totaling roughly $827 million this fiscal year.    » read more »

Aug. 14, 2007 -- HOUSTON – Texas Governor Rick Perry today ceremonially signed House Bill 3011, allowing the creation of a ship channel security district for the Port of Houston and empowering local authorities to partner with private sector companies to take an integrated, system-wide approach to enhancing port security. Perry was joined by legislators, federal and local officials, and members of the energy industry.    » read more »

Bill to strengthen the vetting system for foreign purchases of companies in U.S. on its way to president's desk

July 11, 2007 -- WASHINGTON – Congress today gave final approval to legislation first proposed last year in the wake of the Dubai government’s purchase of commercial operations of six major U.S. ports (including the Port of New York/New Jersey). U.S.    » read more »