Facing Cargo Screening Deadline, DHS Chief Says No Can Do 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, today responded to reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will not meet a 2012 deadline set by Congress to scan the contents of every cargo container for nuclear bombs and other dangerous materials before the cargo arrives at U.S. ports. Rep. Markey was a key advocate of this provision, which became law in 2007 as part of legislation to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Rep. Markey said, "When it comes to scanning cargo for nukes within the next five years, the Bush administration is already raising the white flag of surrender while our ports remain vulnerable to WMDs. The law contains a clear mandate to screen all cargo coming from overseas ports to the U.S. in order to detect any problems before the cargo reaches our shores. In the waning days of the Bush administration, the Department of Homeland Security is once again caving to the wishes of special interests, putting commerce over commonsense."

"Failure to screen and seal all cargo overseas doesn't just ‘miss the boat' - it also could miss the bomb, with devastating consequences for our country. That's a risk we just can't take. Luckily for the American people, it won't be up to President Bush much longer. It will be up to the next president to implement the mandate consistent with the law and the next Congress to ensure that this program is carried out fully."

The feasibility of scanning 100 percent of cargo containers overseas already has been successfully demonstrated at ports in the United Kingdom (Southampton) and China (Hong Kong)

During the four years leading up to the passage of the 9/11 bill in 2007, Rep. Markey repeatedly offered amendments in committee and on the House floor to implement 100% scanning of ship containers before they depart for U.S. ports. In July 2007, Rep. Markey was one of the final group of lawmakers who negotiated the final language of the 9/11 bill before it passed Congress and was signed into law in August 2007.

 
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