WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Adam Schiff and Congressman Howard Coble, Chairman of the Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee are introducing the “Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America’s Seaports Act of 2005” today. The bill is similar to the bipartisan legislation introduced earlier this year by Senators Joseph Biden and Arlen Specter. Some of the key provisions would:
- Make it a federal crime to use a vessel to smuggle terrorists or dangerous materials, including nuclear material, into the United States
- Impose stiff criminal penalties for providing false information to a federal law enforcement officer at a port or on a vessel
- Double the sentence of anyone who fraudulently gains access to a seaport
- Increase penalties for smugglers who misrepresent illicit cargo
- Bridge specific gaps in current federal law by making it a crime for a vessel operator to fail to stop when ordered to do so by a federal law enforcement officer
“The Seaport security amendment will plug a hole in our defense against terrorism and make American ports, passengers and cargo safer,” said Schiff.
“I said immediately following the terrorist attacks of 9-11, I fear any subsequent terrorist attacks will likely come by water – a port or harbor. Hopefully, our bill will make ports from North Carolina to California safer and more secure from any potential terrorism,” said Chairman Coble.
Congressman Schiff is the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security and a member of both the House Judiciary and International Relations committees. He represents California’s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.
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