[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 111 (Monday, September 11, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9284-S9285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PORT SECURITY IMPROVEMENT ACT

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise to take a moment to recognize that 
today is the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. That day 5 
years ago changed the way we all think about the world. The 
consequences were profound. We learned that we must be prepared for 
threats we cannot even imagine.
  That is why our work here today on the Port Security Improvement Act 
is so important. I was pleased to help write the Port Security 
Improvement Act of 2006, the amendment before the Senate today. I am 
proud of our work. Working together, we have crafted legislation to 
help keep our ports safe and our economy strong. The legislation 
strikes a balance. It protects Americans, and it preserves the free 
flow of commerce upon which our prosperity depends.
  Last year, nearly 11 million containers came into our country. That 
is more than 30,000 containers every day. They arrive at more than 300 
ports all across our borders. That number of containers is expected to 
double over the next 3 years. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
Agency is responsible for ensuring that not one of those millions of 
containers--not one--carries with it anything that could harm us. It is 
a daunting task. It would be tempting to say we should slow this 
torrent of containers to a trickle. It would be tempting to say we 
should allow Customs and Border Protection unlimited time to do its job 
to protect us from harm, but slowing trade to a trickle would also 
cause America great harm. It would cripple our economy.
  Ensuring security is only half of the work of Customs and Border 
Protection. The agency is also charged with carrying on the centuries-
old responsibility of its predecessor, the U.S. Customs Service, to 
facilitate the commerce so critical to keeping our economy strong.
  Cross-border trade accounts for fully a quarter of the American 
economy--one-quarter. How, then, do we keep this flow of trade both 
safe and smooth? I believe this legislation tries to do just that. We 
have given Customs and Border Protection more tools and resources to 
accomplish both of its missions.
  We authorize $1.2 billion in port security grant assistance, and we 
authorize another $750 million for key programs such as the Container 
Security Initiative and the automated targeting system.
  We also authorize funds to fulfill the promise of the Customs Trade 
Partnership Against Terrorism. We provide the personnel to validate 
supply chain security for the thousands of American importers eager to 
participate in the program and keep their cargo moving.
  I also strongly support testing and deployment of fully integrated 
container scanning systems capable of increasing the security of 
containers in foreign ports while maintaining or improving the 
processing time of just-in-time cargoes. The more we can know about a 
container before it gets to America, the safer we all will be.
  But technology is not a panacea. We need people at our land and 
seaports to detect and deter contraband or unlawful persons from 
entering our country. My State of Montana is a border State. In 
Montana, we have new cargo examination equipment, but we don't have new 
personnel to run it.
  We need people to ensure the robust enforcement of our trade laws and 
trade agreements upon which American companies and workers rely. That

[[Page S9285]]

is why, in the 2002 Homeland Security Act, Congress prohibited any 
diminution in Customs trade facilitation and enforcement functions. And 
we prohibited any reduction or consolidation of the personnel 
performing those functions.
  In violation of that act, personnel dedicated to revenue collection 
and trade enforcement are increasingly being asked to assist with port 
security-related functions for which they are neither trained nor 
equipped. Since 2003, trade personnel numbers decreased by as much as 
15 percent.
  This legislation reverses this damaging trend by requiring Customs 
and Border Protection to restore personnel vital to its commercial 
mission. At the same time, we ensure sufficient numbers of security-
focused personnel by adding uniformed officers at every one of our 
Nation's ports. We can do both, and we need to do both.
  The legislation also creates an Office of International Trade within 
Customs and Border Protection. The new office would be headed by an 
Assistant Commissioner for International Trade, reporting directly to 
the Commissioner.
  This office is responsible for supervising and giving policy 
direction to employees before the agency's commercial and revenue 
functions. This structural change is designed to give voice to the 
concerns of commerce. It will guarantee that the concerns of commerce 
receive due consideration.
  And an International Trade Policy Committee within Customs and Border 
Protection will assist the Commissioner in coordinating with the 
Assistant Secretary for Policy. The committee will help them implement 
policies related to the commercial customs and trade facilitation 
functions within the Agency.
  Mr. President, if security at our ports is compromised, then the 
international trade that drives our Nation's economy could grind to a 
halt. But if security at our ports does not protect the overall health 
of the international commerce system, then that would not provide 
Americans real security. We need to do both.
  I am very pleased with the legislation before us. We still need to 
address other critical transportation security issues, such as rail and 
transit security, which this legislation doesn't do. But the pending 
amendment is a critical component of a national strategy on homeland 
and economic security.
  This legislation would not have been completed without the tireless 
efforts of my colleagues. I thank and commend Senator Inouye, Senator 
Stevens especially for his very helpful work, Murray, Collins, 
Lieberman, Coleman, and my dear friend, the chairman of the Finance 
Committee, Senator Grassley.
  Too many staff to name have worked countless hours to get this 
legislation ready, and I thank them.
  Working together, I believe we have created something that both 
safeguards our Nation's ports and protects American prosperity. America 
needs us to do both. That is why America needs us to pass this 
important legislation.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Maine is recognized.

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