What have you found that we can do that would be more and better coordinated with all of the different entities that can contribute to security to make our ports as secure as possible?

It has been almost 4 years since this committee passed port security legislation, which became the SAFE Port Act of 2006.

Mr. Chairman, thank you. And my time is up, but I do have another couple of questions for a second----

I want to ask you something, because I have been concerned, as I think many people know, because I introduced a bill in response to the administration not waiving the Jones Act immediately after the oil spill.

Are you talking about specific types of cargo, or the ports from which they came being a different risk assessment, or the companies that are transporting being a different risk assessment?

Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding today's hearing on port security, a critical element of our Nation's national security efforts.

And do you think we effectively do that?

Clearly, our Nation's economy and the flow of commerce can be affected significantly by an unforeseen event, which I am concerned we are not adequately prepared.

The maritime transportation system in the United States is a vital asset to our Nation's economy, employing more than 13 million workers.

There is a disconnect between what we read and see, versus seeming like we're not making the maximum use.

The Brookings Institution estimated that a detonated weapon of mass destruction at an American port could cost $1 trillion to the national economy.

none of us can do it fully on our own; all together, we can do a much better job.