RAHALL REPORT: Administration Not Making the Grade When It Comes to Homeland Security
From the desk of U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV)Representing West Virginia's 3rd District
Washington, D.C. (HNN) -- There is no question that the recent news out of London of a thwarted terrorist plot aimed at bringing down several trans-Atlantic flights, coupled with this week's evacuation of our own Tri-State airport in Huntington, has reawakened concerns of many West Virginians about the threat of terrorism here at home and in other parts of the world.
It's my hope that it will wake up the Congressional Republican Leadership as well, many of whom are still dragging their heels when it comes to implementing laws that will make our skies safer.
More than two years ago, I joined a bipartisan delegation in co-sponsoring legislation that would implement in their entirety the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission. This bill was also endorsed by the 9/11 Commission and 9/11 Family Steering Committee. Unfortunately, petty politics kept this comprehensive bill from seeing the light of day, and many of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations still have not been fully implemented- so many, in fact, that the Commission has given the Republican Leadership in Washington Ds and Fs for failing to implement recommended homeland security safeguards.
Among the Administration's failing grades is an F in the allocation of homeland security funds based on risk, an F in the providing of adequate radio spectrum for first responders, and, perhaps most disturbing, an F in improvements to airline passenger screenings.
According to the report, few improvements have been made to the existing passenger screening system since right after 9/11. The completion of the testing phase of the TSA's pre-screening program for airline passengers has been delayed. And a new system, utilizing all names on the consolidated terror watch list, is not yet in operation.
A grade of D was given in checked bag and cargo screening, with the report stating that improvements in this area have not been made a priority by Republican leadership in Congress. Progress on implementation of in-line screening has been slow due to inadequate funding. Republicans in Congress have also neglected to take a leadership role in passport security, receiving a D in this area as well. A D was also given in the area of infrastructure assessments, with the report claiming that no risk or vulnerability assessments have actually been made, no national priorities have been established and no recommendations have been made on the allocation of scarce resources.
None of us want our children bringing home Ds and Fs on their report cards, and we certainly don't want our government bringing home Ds and Fs when it comes to protecting lives.
Airports big and small, in our rural and urban areas, are ALL links in our national transportation chain and we have a responsibility to make sure that each and every link is secured with equal resources. Two years ago, I supported a bill that would have done this. Two years later we are still waiting. As the Commission report states, it's time to stop talking about priorities and actually set some. It's past time.