Johnny Isakson: “today, the Senate accepted an important amendment to this port security bill to protect longshoremen and private sector…”

“today, the Senate accepted an important amendment to this port security bill to protect longshoremen and private sector marine terminal operators from any adverse consequences that could result from government cargo screening activities. The amendment was coauthored by Senator Kennedy and myself, and I thank the distinguished Senior Senator from Massachusetts for his leadership on this issue. I also thank the floor managers, Senators Collins, Stevens, Coleman, Lieberman, Inouye, and Murray for their vital assistance. After September 11, Congress mandated that the administration begin scanning shipping containers upon their arrival at U.S. ports. In response to this congressional mandate, U.S. Customs has begun using so-called ``VACIS machines'' to screen cargo on U.S. marine terminals. These machines are enormous imaging systems that use gamma ray technology to produce radiographic images of the contents inside the shipping containers. Some of these systems are truck mounted and can be passed over containers and others are operated by actually driving the container through the machine. With these devices, Government officials can determine the possible presence of many types of contraband. Eventually, every port in the country will have the machines on site. There is no question that these machines are crucial to our port and national security, but they also have the potential to expose maritime workers to low levels of radiation.…”