US anti-terror bill passed
28/07/2007 09:43  - (SA)  

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Washington - The US Congress on Friday approved and sent to President George W Bush a bill requiring screening of all cargo bound for the United States and other measures aimed at preventing another September 11-type attack.

The House of Representatives voted 371-40 for the bill that would allocate a greater share of federal anti-terrorism grants to high-risk cities, while ensuring that all states get some money for basic preparedness. The House acted a day after the Senate voted 85-8 for the bill.

"With this bill, we will be keeping our promises to the families of 9/11, we'll be honouring the work of the 9/11 commission and we will be making the American people safer," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat.

The bill, which would implement many of the remaining recommendations of the commission that investigated the September 11 attacks, was a high priority for Democrats since they took control of Congress in January and will help them fight Republican taunts of a "do-nothing Congress".

Initial veto threat

Bush had earlier threatened to veto the legislation over a provision that would have allowed union rights for some 45 000 airport workers. Democrats backed away from that demand and the White House said on Friday that Bush would sign the bill.

Republicans also won a provision that would give lawsuit protection to people who report suspicious activity near transportation systems.

The bill also aims to enable state and local governments to better share information with federal authorities and provide money to help communities upgrade their communications.

It requires that within five years all US-bound cargo be inspected before it is loaded on ships. Democrats have pushed the cargo screening requirement for years, arguing it would guard against terrorists slipping explosives into the United States. But opponents said 100% screening was costly and unnecessary.

The bill also requires that all cargo carried on passenger airplanes be screened within three years and authorises more than $4bn in grants for rail, transit and bus security.

- Reuters

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