(March 30, 2003) -- In response to a query from LBReport.com, LB-Carson Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald has commented on a bill by NYC Congressman Jerrold Nadler (first reported among LB media by LBReport.com) that would require inspection and sealing of all inbound cargo containers abroad by Homeland Security Department personnel and the inspection of inbound container ships by the Coast Guard 200 miles from shore.

In an emailed statement, Congresswoman Millender-McDonald said:

"I am also very concerned about the security of our nation's ports. I am currently looking into the issue of container safety and am committed to keeping our ports safe."

Congressman Nadler's bill, H.R. 1010 (full text below) has been referred to three committees: the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Ways and Means Committee and Select Homeland Security Committee.

Congressman Nadler is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee...and so is Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, whose district encompasses roughly 80% of LB.

Nadler and Millender-McDonald are both Democrats...during a period when Republicans hold a House majority. Nadler is the Democrats' Assistant House Whip.

We also sought comment on Nadler's bill from Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, whose district stretches from Huntington Beach to Palos Verdes and includes roughly 20% of LB, including eastern ELB, Los Altos, Belmont Shore and the Ports of LB and L.A. A response from his office is presently pending.

Developing further.

[begin H.R. 1010 text]

108th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1010

To amend title 46, United States Code, to require inspection of cargo destined for the United States.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 27, 2003

Mr. NADLER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means and Select Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

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A BILL

To amend title 46, United States Code, to require inspection of cargo destined for the United States.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Port Protection Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. CONTAINERIZED CARGO INSPECTION.

(a) IN GENERAL- Subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new part:

PART K--CARGO SECURITY

CHAPTER 151--CONTAINERIZED AND NONCONTAINERIZED CARGO

Sec. 15101. Inspection of cargo containers and noncontainerized cargo destined for United States.

15102. Inspection of container vessels prior to entry into United States port.

15103. Denial of entry of container vessels.

Sec. 15101. Inspection of cargo containers and noncontainerized cargo destined for United States.

(a) Effective January 1, 2005, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall require for all containerized cargo destined for the United States, that each cargo container be inspected, the contents verified, and the container sealed--

(1) by personnel of the Department of Homeland Security ;

(2) at a port or airport outside the United States; and

(3) before the container is loaded onto or removed from the vessel or airplane, as applicable.

(b)(1) In the case of any cargo container entering the United States by any means other than a vessel or an airplane, the Customs Service shall not permit the entry of the container without a proper and intact inspection seal of the Department of Homeland Security .

(2) The Customs Service shall not permit the entry of any noncontainerized cargo by any means other than a vessel or an airplane until it has inspected all such cargo and has verified that it does not contain a chemical, biological, or nuclear weapon.

Sec. 15102. Inspection of cargo vessels prior to entry into United States port

(a) The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall board and inspect each vessel carrying cargo destined for the United States, at least 200 miles from the United States.

(b) An inspection under this section shall include physical inspection to verify that--

(1) the cargo containers on the vessel have not been tampered with; and

(2) the remainder of the vessel, including but not limited to noncontainerized cargo, the engine room, living quarters, bathrooms, and hull, does not contain a chemical, biological, or nuclear weapon.

Sec. 15103. Denial of entry of cargo vessels

The Secretary shall deny entry into the territorial waters of the United States to any vessel that--

(1) is carrying any cargo that does not comply with the requirements under section 15101;

(2) is not inspected in accordance with section 15102; or

(3) that fails an inspection under section 15102.

(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The table of chapters at the beginning of subtitle II of tile 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

Part K--Cargo Security 151.
Containerized and Noncontainerized Cargo
15101