PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8122-8125)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 14, 2004
Reducing Crime and Terrorism at America's Seaports Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit: (1) entry by false pretenses to a secure area of a seaport; (2) knowingly failing to obey an order to heave to by an authorized Federal officer; (3) forcibly interfering with an authorized law enforcement action or providing false information during a boarding; and (4) willfully disabling a passenger vehicle.
Sets penalties for knowingly and intentionally: (1) placing in U.S. navigable waters a device or substance likely to destroy or damage a vessel or its cargo or likely to interfere with safe navigation or maritime commerce; (2) discharging or releasing into U.S. navigable water or onto an adjoining shoreline any substance that would endanger human life, health, or welfare or the marine environment; and (3) transporting aboard any vessel explosive, biological, chemical, or radioactive or nuclear material to be used to commit terrorism.
Sets penalties for: (1) knowingly transporting aboard any vessel a terrorist or terror suspect; (2) willfully causing destruction of a vessel or maritime facility; and (3) imparting or conveying false information concerning an attempt made to commit certain criminal acts
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Expands the scope of a prohibition against theft of interstate or foreign shipments. Increases penalties for stowaways on vessels or aircraft. Prohibits bribery affecting port security.
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to increase penalties for noncompliance with manifest requirements and to expand the scope of those requirements to cover any responsible party, including non-vessel operating common carriers.
People & committees
Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE] · D–DE
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8122-8125)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8122)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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