Jane Harman: “Mr. Speaker, nearly 6 months ago, I stood here with our colleagues and called the passage of H.R. 4954 by a vote of…”

“Mr. Speaker, nearly 6 months ago, I stood here with our colleagues and called the passage of H.R. 4954 by a vote of 421-2 a legislative miracle. I stand by those words today. Mr. Lungren and I co-authored the SAFE Port Act, and from the beginning it has been a collaborative and comprehensive effort, both bicameral and bipartisan. It has been, and I hope it will continue to be, an example of how Congress should work. I appreciate this bipartisan approach to port and container security, and I am gratified that this issue is finally getting the attention it deserves. But this is not the time, Mr. Speaker, to congratulate ourselves and rest on our laurels. It is the time to take the steps to make a law. And in the last days of the last week before we recess for this election, we have a chance to do that, but only if we compromise with the other body.”