[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 99 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1175-E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SECURING MARITIME ACTIVITIES THROUGH RISK-BASED TARGETING FOR PORT 
                              SECURITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2012

  Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I am submitting the following 
letter exchange for the Record between myself and Chairman Dave Camp of 
the House Committee on Ways and Means:

                                     House of Representatives,

                                    Washington, DC, June 27, 2012.
     Hon. Peter King,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman King: I am writing to you concerning the bill 
     H.R. 4251, the ``Securing Maritime Activities through Risk-
     based Targeting for Port Security Act.'' This legislation 
     includes several provisions in section 201 that pertain to 
     the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways & Means with 
     respect to Customs and Border Protection's mission of 
     facilitating the efficient flow of legitimate commerce.
       The Committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 4251 and 
     the need to move expeditiously. Therefore, the Committee is 
     willing to forego action on the bill with the understanding 
     that by doing so, the Committee is not in any way prejudiced 
     with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives or the 
     appointment of conferees on this or similar legislation.
       In addition, I appreciate your agreement that the Ways & 
     Means Committee be included within the definition of 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' so that it will 
     receive the implementation and strategic plans required in 
     section 201 of the bill.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 4251, and would ask 
     that a

[[Page E1176]]

     copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in 
     the Congressional Record.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Dave Camp,
                            Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means.
                                  ____
                                  


                                      House of Representatives

                                    Washington, DC, June 28, 2012.
     Hon. Dave Camp,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Camp: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 4251, the ``SMART Port Security Act of 2012.'' I 
     acknowledge that by forgoing action on this legislation, your 
     Committee is not diminishing or altering its jurisdiction.
       I also concur with you that forgoing action on this bill 
     does not in any way prejudice the Committee on Ways and Means 
     with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill 
     or similar legislation in the future. I agree that the 
     Committee on Ways and Means is considered to be an 
     ``appropriate congressional committee'' in regards to the 
     certain reports required by section 201 in H.R. 4251.
       I will include our letters on H.R. 4251 in the 
     Congressional Record, and I appreciate your cooperation 
     regarding this legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Peter T. King,
     Chairman.

                          ____________________