fritchie

=Representative Fritchie (CA-R)= ==


 * Rules for H.R. 2 as established by the Rules Committee:** The House will hold six minutes of debate on this bill. The majority will have three minutes. The minority will have three minutes. Members will be limited to one minute each. Amendments will be considered. In order for your amendment to be considered from the floor, you must submit a copy of the amendment BEFORE the House convenes tomorrow at 9:15. You must include your specific amendment and a one to two sentence explanation of the amendments consideration. The House will hold five minutes of debate on the amendments before proceeding to a vote. [|To view some real rules on amendments, check out this page].


 * H.R. 2**

To provide grants for states with major ports and to regulate incoming foreign cargo.

FEBRUARY 21, 2008
 * IN THE MCGEHEE MODEL CONGRESS

Sponsored by:** Ms. Fritchie and Ms. Weston (for themselves, Ms. Gregorio, Ms. McHenry, Ms. Baker, Ms. Radosta, Ms. Ashman, Ms. Monteleone, Ms. Exnicios, Ms. Preston)

A Bill

To provide grants for states with major ports and to regulate incoming foreign cargo.

//Be it enacted by the Members of the McGehee Model Congress of the United States of America in Congress assembled,//

This Act may be cited as the "Save Lives on the Home Front: Increase Port Security Act of 2008
 * SECTION 1: TITLE**


 * SECTION 2: PURPOSES**

1. To provide categorical grants for states with major ports to finance radiation detectors. 2. Foreign companies must approve their cargo with an official stamp, acknowledging that the cargo contains only safe materials.

A state will be eligible to receive funding for radiation detectors if it: a. contains a major port (examples: Los Angeles, New Orleans, Houston, New York City, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Portland, Miami)
 * SECTION 3: ELIGIBILITY**


 * SECTION 4: TERMS AND BENEFITS**

Port Security is a joint responsibility between states, private ownerships, and the federal government.

Private ownership and the states will each be responsible for 25% of the funding for port security. The remaining 50% will be provided by federal categorical grants from the Department of Homeland Security.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) will be responsible for placing a temporary ban on foreign companies who refuse to abide by the "safe stamp" regulations.

If the foreign companies fail to approve their cargo by 2012, the WTO will commence the bans.

By 2015, all major ports should have applied and received funding for radiation detectors.


 * SECTION 5: FINDINGS**

1. 80% of the Los Angeles Port terminals are controlled by foreign companies. 2. Approximately 7% of incoming cargo to the United States is physically examined. 3. Only 37% of incoming cargo is put through radiation detectors. 4. The U.S. has 361 ports that are susceptible to terrorist attacks. 5. Over 9 million cargo containers enter the United States each year.

Additional resources: http://www.aapa-ports.org/search/SearchResults2.cfm?QUICKSEARCH=%20port%20security&BTNSEARCH.X=0&BTNSEARCH.Y=0

Transcript from committee hearing the SAFE Port Act of 2006===very helpful! http://homeland.house.gov/hearings/index.asp?ID=97

Thompson History 11 12 February 2008 // National Security: Ports // • Affects their own security • 9/11 • 9/11 • The fact that containers and cargo are rarely checked began to gain more attention after the terrorist attacks (4) • Bi-partisan issue • Think it is criminal that only 6% of cargo gets checked • Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) (4) o Meant increase port security o Congress could not decide on how to fund the bill o // Look to website for outline of the bill // § Assess all ships with cargo, develop security plans, regulation for secure ports, millions of dollars to be awarded to safety research and development teams, etc.  o  The bill only funded the Coast Guard • Both parties oppose a foreign government-controlled company taking control of the ports because they believe that it will make the country vulnerable to terrorism • “President Bush, who has appeared stunned at the opposition from Republicans and Democrats alike over the deal involving one of the country's few close Arab allies” (5) • Blocking the Dubai deal would look ‘good’ for the Democrats because Republicans have usually been the frontrunners for national security (5) o Victory for both sides •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Increased funding for port security by 700% (1) •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> ‘Multi-layered’ strategy of defense (1) o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Screens and inspects cargo o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> At least 24 hours before cargo is loaded onto a ship, all information about the cargo must be provided o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism: created to improve security standards for cargo security o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Technology (x-ray and gamma ray machines) to screen cargo •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> $630 million to major ports – Baltimore, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia (1) •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> U.S. Customs and Border Protection (1) o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Prevents not only terrorists, but weapons associated with them, from entering the US  o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal">  Screens information before it is loaded onto a ship heading towards the US  •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal">  Coast Guard (1) o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Examine US port system and seeing if they meet the standards of the Maritime Transportation and Security Act & the Ports and Waterways Security Act o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Requires that each port creates a security plan o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Works with local port authorities and law enforcement agencies §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Makes sure everything runs accordingly •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Terminal Operator (1) o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Operates a terminal within the port §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Makes it so that one person, or group of people, is not checking the entire port, and instead just checking one part of it  •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal">  Port Authority (1) o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Body of government that owns and manages the make up of the port o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Makes sure that cargo moves effectively o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Deals with safety issues within port boundaries •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> February 2006: “an Arab company was poised to oversee terminals at six major U.S. seaports” (2) o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> George Bush supported an Arab company controlling key US ports §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Easy access for them to enter the US  •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal">  Los Angeles Port : 80% of the terminals are controlled by foreign company (2) o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> How is this safe? •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> “Bush says a company from the UAE, a U.S. ally in the war on terrorism, shouldn't be treated any differently than other companies that seek to do business here. But the tiny Persian Gulf nation was a base of operations for two 9/11 hijackers” (2) à I need help on this topic – a bit confused •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> James Loy, former deputy secretary for the Department of Homeland Security and a retired commandant of the Coast Guard o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Believes the US needs to fill the gaps in port-security programs (2) §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> These gaps leave 360 ports open for terrorist attacks o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> US ports need to install radiation detectors (2) •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Inspections //should not// be done overseas – must be done in the US  •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal">  “the Homeland Security Department acknowledges that by the time a pair of jeans ends up in someone's shopping cart in Ohio, the chance that the container in which they were shipped was inspected by a U.S. agent is less than 10%” (2) •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Dubai should not be allowed to control our ports – leaves the US vulnerable to terrorism (2) •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Checking is seldom – it is easy for terrorists to get weapons into the US (2) •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Dubai Ports World (3) o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Government has had ‘questionable links’ to terrorism in the past o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Why should we let them control our ports? o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Dubai – midpoint for sale of nuclear weapons to Korea, Iran, Libya (3) •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> 9/11 o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Money used to aid the terrorist attacks was ‘funneled’ through Dubai (3) •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> __ All __ major ports should be equipped with drive-through radiation detectors (2) o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Currently, only 37% of the ports have radiation detectors •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Less foreign ownership of ports (2) o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Ex: New York/New Jersey Port – 3/5 terminals are under foreign control •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> By not letting foreign countries control US ports (such as Dubai Port World), we are hurting our economy (3) o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Our country thrives off of foreign trade/goods o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Dubai is an ally – why bad? •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> The US would become isolationist again which would be detrimental (3) •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Not a threat to our security (3) // Past Bills: // •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Creates an international committee to insure all cargo is transported safely and securely •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> US Coast Guard aids other foreign ports in training methods o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Helps improve foreign ports, and provide equipment for them, that transport materials to the US  •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal">  Security plan to outline the Coast Guard aid to the foreign ports •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Creates a regional response to port security •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Coast Guard national resource security plan to meet security requirements<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51)"> •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> The Secretary must make sure that Coast Guard members inspecting cargo coming into the US have completed the required training •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Technology used at ports •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> // Status: stuck in committee // •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Assist the Secretary of Homeland Security o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Carry out surveillance activities •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Use of Department of Defense •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> // Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism // •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> National security regarding trade •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> United States Trade Representative must report to Congress on the material being before negotiations are made with a foreign country o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Must outline any potential threats •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> President must authorize US trade agreements with foreign nations •<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Congressional Executive Commission on Trade Security o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"> Communicate with Congress about the ongoing processes 1. “Securing U.S. Ports.” 12 July 2006. U.S. Customs Border and Protection. 14 February 2008. <[|http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/port_security/securing_us_ports.xml>.] 2. “ Security issues go beyond ports flap   **.**  ” 23 February 2006. USA Today. 14 February 2008. <[|http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-02-22-ports-flap_x.htm>.] 3. “ Ports company will delay takeover. ” 24 February 2006. CNN. 14 February 2008. <[|http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/23/port.security/>.] 4. Robinson, Carl. “Terrorism Project.” 21 January 2003. CDI. 14 February 2008. <[|http://www.cdi.org/terrorism/maritimesecurity.cfm>.] 5. Sanger, David, and David Cloud. “Dubai Company Delays New Role at Six U.S. Ports.” 24 February 2006. New York Times. 14 February 2008. <[|http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/24/politics/24ports.html>.] 6. Porteus, Liza. “ Dubai Co. to Give Up Stake in U.S. Ports Deal. ” 10 March 2006. Fox News. 14 February 2008. <[|http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,187307,00.html>.] 7. The Library of Congress. “<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51)">Maritime Hazardous Cargo Security Act**.”** 2007. 15 February 2008. <[|http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN01594:@@@D&summ2=m&>.] 8. The Library of Congress. “America’s Border Security Act of 2007.” 2007. 15 February 2008. <[|http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR03469:@@@D&summ2=m&>.] 9. The Library of Congress. “<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51)">Trade-Related American National Security Enhancement and Accountability Act.” 2007. 15 February 2008. < [|http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR03214:@@@D&summ2=m&>.]
 * How does this issue have an impact on people? The environment? Are there any case studies you could refer to support your ideas? **
 * When did this issue first surface? **
 * What is the parties’ position on your issue? **
 * What current legislation is under consideration in Congress on your issue? Refer to specific bills by name. What is the bill title? Who sponsored it? What is the bill’s purpose? **
 * Changes Made Since 9/11 **
 * Port Defense **
 * Potential Threats **
 * What needs to be done? **
 * Opposing Arguments **
 * Maritime Hazardous Cargo Security Act (1) **
 * America **** ’s Border Security Act of 2007 (2) **
 * Trade-Related American National Security Enhancement and Accountability Act (3) **

Resources:
 * This article is a few years old but take a look at the port operations interactive link. It gives you a good overview of the types of security provided by the federal govt. at the ports. http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/23/port.security/
 * This article from USA Today has a really good overview of the issue: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-02-22-ports-flap_x.htm