Jack Reed: “tonight the Senate is voting on the port security conference report. While the conference report contains important…”

“tonight the Senate is voting on the port security conference report. While the conference report contains important provisions to secure our Nation's ports, I am disappointed that the House of Representatives refused to accept the Senate bill's transit and rail security provisions. This is particularly troubling in light of the inclusion in the conference report of extraneous matter not debated by the full Senate and not related to our nation's security. While our Nation acted quickly after 9/11 to secure our airports and airplanes, major vulnerabilities remain in maritime and surface transportation. As the 9/11 Commission concluded ``opportunities to do harm are as great, or greater, in maritime and surface transportation'' as in commercial aviation. Unfortunately, this conference report will leave our surface transportation system vulnerable. Transit agencies around the country have identified in excess of $6 billion in transit security needs--$5.2 billion in security-related capital investment and $800 million to support personnel and related operation security measures to ensure transit security and readiness.”