Port Security Bill Passes

Congress has approved a homeland security bill with measures that increase port security and that emphasizes Wi-Fi wireless solutions, according to WiFi Wireless, Inc., a company which markets an end-to-end wireless tracking and monitoring system for shipping containers. The bill provides new steps to prevent terrorism at sea ports such as putting nuclear, chemical or biological devices into the 11 million shipping containers entering the country every year. Further measures are expected. The Senate passed the bill by a voice vote and President Bush has signed it into law. Senator Susan Collins, chairwoman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said the legislation would be a "major leap ahead" in strengthening national security.

The bill approves $400 million a year over five years for risk-based grants for training and exercises only. It also requires the United States' 22 largest ports, which handle 98 percent of all cargo entering the country, to install radiation detectors by the end of next year. Preferential cargo processing is offered to importers who meet certain security requirements which WiFi Wireless says its sytem provides.