TSA Cargo Screening Mandate Faces Challenges
June 30, 2010 (WASHINGTON) – The House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection convened an oversight hearing on TSA’s progress in meeting the 100% air cargo deadline, including the release of a new GAO report which cites specific challenges faced by the Department in meeting the 9/11 mandate. The report, which was requested by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), and Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), offers key programmatic and strategic recommendations that can improve TSA’s ongoing efforts in air cargo screening.
GAO raises concerns about TSA’s oversight of the domestic cargo screening system and the lack of a “contingency plan” should the private sector not be able to screen all cargo bound for passenger aircraft by the statutory deadline. The report also finds that TSA has not developed a system for implementing the 100% screening mandate for inbound passenger aircraft.
Chairman Thompson released the following statement regarding the report:
“TSA’s ability to conduct appropriate oversight, inspection and regulation of the screening program raises serious concerns. While it has developed several initiatives to implement the 100% cargo screening mandate, its programs rely too heavily on private sector participation and self reporting of data. I applaud TSA for its continued commitment in working towards meeting the deadline and concurring with GAO recommendations; however, in order for TSA to meet this mandate it must implement a robust compliance program to ensure accuracy and accountability,” said Chairman Thompson.
Representative Ed Markey issued the following statement regarding the report:
“This report raises serious concerns about TSA’s system for screening all cargo carried on passenger planes, a vital security protection,” said Markey, the author of the mandate in the law implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission requiring screening of all air cargo on passenger planes. “It also calls into question whether TSA’s system will be capable of meeting the August deadline without impeding commerce. TSA will also miss the law’s deadline for screening all cargo on passenger planes entering our country from overseas. This is particularly troubling given the threats posed by terrorists like the Christmas Day underwear bomber, who was attempting to enter our country on a passenger plane which originated overseas. We must resolve all outstanding issues to ensure that we are focused not only on the safety of passengers in airline seats, but of the cargo just beneath their feet.”
In the years since September 11, 2001, Democrats have consistently sought to require 100% screening of all cargo on commercial passenger flights. Despite opposition from Republicans in Congress and the Bush Administration this mandate was enacted in section 1602 of P.L. 110-53, which directs TSA to phase in implementation of a 100% screening program over three years
Link to Report
Hearing Information
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Media Contacts:
(Thompson) Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
(Markey) Dan Reilly at (202) 225-2836
