Murray's Port Security Bill Goes to the President

Murray's Port Security Bill Goes to the President
After 5 years, the GreenLane Act will finally be signed into law
Murray's tenacity pays off in legislation that will protect ports, secure cargo, and safeguard American lives and the U.S. economy

Today the U.S. Congress passed landmark cargo security legislation authored by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) that will dramatically improve the security of America's ports and cargo container system. A House-Senate conference report of Murray's bill passed both houses of Congress late this evening.

Murray was a member of the Conference Committee.

"This is a huge victory for our security, our economy and the American people. After five long years of work, my cargo security legislation is headed to the President's desk to be signed into law," Murray said. "This is a tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11th and a promise to the American people that we will do everything in our power to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again."

The bipartisan bill, which Murray wrote -

* raises security standards for all cargo entering the U.S.,

* creates a GreenLane to track and monitor cargo,

* creates a system to resume trade after an incident,

* and funds port security grants.

For Washington state, the bill will provide new security grants for Washington's ports, a new regional coordination center, new radiation detection equipment at the Port of Tacoma, new Customs personnel for Seattle/Tacoma, and a new system to keep Washington's trade-dependent economy moving.

"Today Congress made a commitment to securing our ports and keeping our citizens safe. The President must now honor that commitment - not only with a signature, but also with a budget that funds this mandate," Murray said. "Americans deserve more than words on a page - real security costs real dollars. I will continue to work as a member of both the Senate Budget and Appropriations committees to hold Congress to this promise."

Today's vote marks the culmination of a five-year effort by Senator Murray to implement cargo security measures at our nation's ports. Beginning after the attacks of September 11th with Murray's Operation Safe Commerce program to enhance port, cargo and supply chain security, Murray had been steadfast in her dedication to port security.

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http://murray.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=264229