• Concerned about the safety of railroad transportation systems, I requested the Government Accountability Office to prepare a report examining the safety and security of hazardous materials transportation by rail.  This report, entitled “Rail Safety and Security: Some Actions Already Taken to Enhance Rail Security but Risk-based Plan Needed,” called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a national intermodal transportation system security plan that could serve as the basis of comprehensive efforts to strengthen transportation security in our nation.  The report was published in April 2003.
   
• I am a co-sponsor of the Rail Security Act of 2005, H.R. 2351, which would direct DHS to conduct a security assessment of U.S. railroad infrastructure and develop a railroad security plan.  This bill would also establish a federal grant program to fund security improvements on U.S. railroads and authorize appropriations to Amtrak to upgrade tunnel infrastructure, including the major tunnels in and around Baltimore. (This bill awaits consideration by the House Committee on Homeland Security.)
   
• During the consideration of the Marine Terminal Security Enhancement Act of 2006, H.R. 4880, by the Transportation Committee, I offered an amendment that would authorize DHS to examine all port terminal ownership and operating agreements that pertain to cargo terminals.  During the discussion of the proposed sale of a port terminal operating firm active in the Port of Baltimore to the government of Dubai, I learned that DHS lacked the explicit authority to examine these agreements.  Responding to this finding, my amendment would also require DHS to report annually to Congress on the extent of foreign ownership among port terminal operators – and to identify the security risks, if any, that such foreign ownership may pose.  Such information was not widely available during the discussion of the proposed sale of the terminal operating firm (P&O) because it is not regularly collected by any federal entity.  (This legislation awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives.)
   
• I am a co-sponsor of the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act (SAFE Port Act), H.R. 4954, which would authorize more than $800 million annually for port security and require DHS to develop strict standards for container security.  (This legislation has been approved by the House Committee on Homeland Security and awaits action by the full House of Representatives.)
   
• I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 5316, which would re-establish the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a cabinet-level agency independent of DHS and require that the Director of this agency have extensive professional experience in emergency preparedness and disaster response.  This legislation would also provide federal assistance to enable states to develop effective plans for responding to disasters.  (This legislation has been passed by the Committee on Government Reform and awaits action by the full House of Representatives.)

Return to 109th Congress Accomplishments