Cargo bill approved

The House has approved the SAFE Ports Act, a comprehensive security bill that will enhance security at U.S. ports, track and protect containers coming to the United States, and prevent threats from reaching U.S. soil.
Congressman Joseph Crowley, Chief Deputy Whip, in announcing the legislation said, “Securing our ports is critical to our national and economic security. New York’s ports are part of the economic engine that powers not only the city and the region, but the nation and even the world.”
Under the legislation, $7.4 billion in federal funding is allocated to enhance port security including deployment of nuclear and radiological detection systems at all domestic seaports. The SAFE Ports Act also enhances two international screening programs and will help track and protect shipments en route to the U.S. through high-risk cargo targeting and tracking systems.
However, the bill does not mandate 100 percent scanning of U.S.-bound cargo containers.