WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today titled SAFE Port Act: Securing Our Nation's Critical Infrastructure.

Witness List:

The Honorable Alan Bersin, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Admiral Robert J. Papp, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Mr. Stephen L. Caldwell, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, U.S. Government and Accountability Office

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“We have a huge challenge before us in making our ports more secure. The very size, location, and constant movement at ports make them vulnerable to a potential terrorist attack. If terrorists were to shut down a major port, the disruption to our economy would be incalculable. In the coming days, I will introduce legislation that builds on provisions in the Security and Accountability for Every Port of 2006, or SAFE Port Act, and the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA), bills this Committee passed to strengthen maritime security.”

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV 

“While inspections and operations at our ports are a key component of our strategy, to fully meet our responsibilities, we must identify and stop threats before they arrive at American ports. This requires that we secure the flow of cargo at each stage of the supply chain—at the point of origin, while in transit, and when it arrives in the United States.”

The Honorable Alan Bersin, Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

“While much has been accomplished to protect the Marine Transportation System, there is also much more to be done. Opportunity remains to strengthen partnerships, improve maritime domain awareness through existing sensor integration and interagency cooperation, enhance public vigilance, and refine collaborative security regimes.”

Admiral Robert J. Papp, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

“Ports, waterways, and vessels handle more than $700 billion in merchandise annually, and an attack on this system could have a widespread impact on global trade and the economy.”

Mr. Stephen L. Caldwell, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues

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