U.S.seaports could be targets for terrorist attack. An FBI official stated, "The intelligence that we have certainly points to theportsas a key vulnerability of the United States and of a key interest to certain terrorist groups...." (4) CBP CommissionerRobert Bonner believes an attack using a nuclear bomb in a container would halt container shipments, leading to"devastating" consequences for the global economy. A terrorist group might obtain a bomb, perhaps with the yield of the Hiroshima bomb, by several plausible routes. Bills related to terrorist nuclear attacks on ports include H.R. Policy Issues

Securing Nuclear Materials. At issue for Congressishow to allocate security funds among ports and other potential targets.
A terrorist nuclear attack on a U.S. seaport could cause local devastationand affect the global economy. Terrorists might obtain a bomb in several ways, though each poses difficulties. Ability to detect a bomb appears limited. The United States is using technology, intelligence, internationalcooperation, etc., to try to thwart an attack. Issues for Congress include safeguarding foreign nuclear material,mitigating economic effects of an attack, and allocating funds between ports and other potential targets. This reportwill be updated as needed.