CONGRESSMEN LOBBY FOR SUPPORT ON PORT SECURITY BILLS

CONGRESSMEN LOBBY FOR SUPPORT ON PORT SECURITY BILLS    Two lawmakers lobbied for industry support on port security bills they've sponsored, saying their plans would provide sufficient government funding.
   U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, D-N.J., told industry executives at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce seminar Wednesday that the bill he has introduced allow sufficient funds for the Coast Guard to continue monitoring the waters near the nation’s ports, without digging into the pockets of industry to fund it.
   “New taxes are not the answer to this problem,” LoBiondo said, adding that the maritime industry needs more agency, governmental, and financial support in seaport security. “It’s clear that federal government has a significant and important role to play in the security of our ports,” he said.
   LoBiondo’s bill, the Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act, would authorize $75 million in grants for enhanced facility security at U.S. seaports for fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005. The bill would also authorize the U.S. Coast Guard to assess security in American and foreign ports, while allowing them to deny entry to vessels from ports that do not maintain effective security. A vote on his bill by the House is expected soon.
   U.S. Sen. John Breaux, D-La., a co-sponsor of the Port and Maritime Security Act, said the bill would provide funds for more security officers and screening equipment, and the building of port security infrastructures. The bill passed the Senate unanimously December, and is awaiting House approval.
   Breaux told the executives that the Coast Guard has played a dominant role in seaport security since Sept. 11, and that it needs more support. Breaux said that legislation he supports would require the Department of Transportation to work with other government agencies to identify incoming seafarers with a uniform identification system. “It has to be a comprehensive effort,” he said of agency collaboration. “The Coast Guard cannot do it alone.”
   On Thursday, Breaux also introduced the “Ship, Seafarer and Container Security Act,” along with Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore. Key provisions of the bill would require some vessels to carry transponders to transmit and track their positions for the Coast Guard, and would require the DOT to negotiate an international agreement in two years (or submit legislation to Congress) to identify seafarers with a uniform identification system. The bill would also call for tougher standards for marine containers, and for anti-tampering and locking systems for marine containers.
   Susan Turner, director of government relations for the American Association of Port Authorities, told conference attendees that seaport security needs more uniformity. “Who is in charge of security really varies at ports,” she said.