The Honorable Bennie G. Thompson
United States House of Representatives
2432 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Ranking Member Thompson:
I am writing to thank you for your strong leadership on port security and your commitment to developing and improving H.R. 4954, the SAFE Port Act. This bi-partisan bill represents an important step forward in enhancing the security of our nation’s ports and marine terminals.
As a longtime friend of labor, you know that the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) and our affiliated unions have long advocated for measures to enhance port security, including adequate worker training. Unfortunately, as you know well, the Administration has failed to adequately fund, implement, and enforce maritime and cargo security measures and as a result, our ports remain extremely vulnerable. Thanks to your work and continued efforts to improve H.R. 4954, progress is being made.
I would specifically like to thank you for your strong support of the amendments on port worker training and exercises offered by Chairman Reichert and Rep. Pascrell at the full Committee mark up. Through the training and exercise programs outlined in those amendments, workers will be able to help prevent an incident at a port and will be prepared to protect themselves in the event of an emergency, and ports will be better equipped to respond to a terrorist attack.
As you know, we remain concerned that the bill, as passed by Committee, does not fully apply Davis-Bacon labor protections. This matter must be resolved before the bill is brought to the floor and we appreciate your leadership in addressing this problem.
Thank you for working with us to further enhance security at our nation’s ports and marine terminals and we look forward to continuing that relationship as this bill moves forward.
Sincerely,
Edward Wytkind
President
