Lawmakers included the scan-all provision in the 9/11 Implementation Act four years ago despite heavy industry and international opposition. Since then many lawmakers have come to the realization that forcing inspections at foreign ports is impractical or too costly, and have publicly voiced support for giving the Department of Homeland Security more flexibility for implementation.
The proposal by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Patty Murray, D-Wash., essentially waives the mandate if the DHS secretary certifies that all risk-based layers of security are in place and working well. Scanning every container would not be required if:
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' The Container Security Initiative is operating at all high-risk overseas ports.
' All U.S.-bound containers are analyzed for risk.
' All high'risk containers are inspected overseas, prior to arrival.
' The Automated Targeting System is shown to have improved.
The new bill is similar to one the senators put forward last fall, towards the later stages of the previous congressional term. Customs is already carrying out many of the listed measures, but the bill would put the weight of Congress' behind them.
Authorization for cargo and port programs in the 2006 SAFE Port Act expired in 2009, but Congress has continued to appropriate money for them. ' Eric Kulisch
