Chuck Schumer: “Our amendment is sensible, it is feasible, and it is absolutely necessary. The Congressional Budget Office says the…”

“Our amendment is sensible, it is feasible, and it is absolutely necessary. The Congressional Budget Office says the House bill--which is very similar to this amendment--will cost the Government $160 million in 2008 through 2012. That may sound like a lot of money, but it is such a small price to pay for an enormous improvement in security. When we compare it to the other large sums we spend on other things, it is not even close. If we asked Americans to rank the cost of this program with the benefit, it would be at the very top of the list. America sees it. Certainly, New York sees it. New Jersey sees it. Why doesn't this body? I hope we will. The amendment does not obligate the Government to buy scanning equipment or seals. Scanning equipment will simply become a cost of doing international business, similar to so many other necessary costs that are imposed for very good reasons. The DHS rules for 100 percent scanning will not be developed in a vacuum but will use the results of the Secure Freight Initiative and other demonstrations of scanning technology. Under my amendment, DHS will only issue a final 100 percent scanning regulation after the Secure Freight Initiative pilot project is complete and DHS reports to Congress. DHS will use the lessons learned from the pilot project to write regulations that are workable. Our amendment also has some flexibility because it is obvious you cannot do scanning without equipment.…”