Seaport Security Funding May Be Redirected

Jun 1, 2003 12:00 PM

A $58 million program approved almost a year ago to strengthen security at the nation's three largest seaports has been delayed as officials consider redirecting the money to other areas of the budget.

The project would track cargo containers entering ports serving New York, Los Angeles and Seattle, says Adm. James Loy, head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who championed the program, wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge expressing dismay that budget mismanagement was placing port security at risk. “I have no intention of watching funds critically needed to ensure the security of our trade lanes diverted in order to make up for the administration's irresponsible actions,” Murray wrote.

“An incident at one of our ports would have a devastating impact on our safety and the U.S. economy,” Murray says. “We cannot ignore port security.”

Operation Safe Commerce would spend $58 million to beef up security at the nation's three largest regional ports: New York and northern New Jersey; Los Angeles-Long Beach; and Seattle-Tacoma. TSA spokesman Robert Johnson said officials expect to reserve some money for the cargo security initiatives, but said it was not clear how much.

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