US Congress passes 9/11 bill

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WASHINGTON, Jul 28 (AFP): The US Congress Friday sent President George W. Bush a bill implementing key recommendations of the independent probe into the September 11 attacks in 2001.
The measure requires the introduction of a system to screen all cargo loaded onto passenger jets within three years, improves airport and port security, and hands out grants to protect against terror strikes to US cities based on risk.
The Democratic-led Senate led the way by passing the bill by 85 votes to eight Thursday night, and the House of Representatives followed suit Friday, by 371 votes to 40.
Bush will get the law three years after the independent commission on the September 11 attacks delivered its report.
Passage of the bill had been held up in the Senate by a prolonged standoff with Republicans over collective bargaining rights for airport security screeners.
The bill's other provisions include 100 per cent screening within five years of maritime cargo before it is loaded on ships in foreign ports bound for the United States.
The measure also calls for:
-- greater distribution of homeland security grants for states and high-risk urban areas based on risk of terrorism, while still ensuring that all states have funds available for basic preparedness.
-- stronger security measures for the Visa Waiver Program, which allows travelers from select countries to visit the US without a visa, through creation of a new Electronic Travel Authorization system and improved reporting of lost and stolen passports.
-- more than 4 billion dollars (2.9 billion euros) over four years for rail, transit, and bus security grants.
-- 250 million dollars annually for airport checkpoint screening, 450 million annually for baggage screening, and 50 million annually for the next four years for aviation security research and development.
-- a dedicated grant program to improve interoperability at local, state, and federal levels.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid tribute to the relatives of the nearly 3,000 people killed on the airborne terror strikes on New York and Washington in 2001 for the way they had forced change.