9/11 Commission's Maritime Transportation Security Proposals To Be Focus Of Congressional Oversight Hearing
Washington, D.C. - The effects of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations on improving maritime transportation security will be the focus of a Congressional oversight hearing by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation next Wednesday.
The Subcommittee hearing, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25th, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. Live audio and video broadcasts of the hearing will be available at the Committee's website: http://www.house.gov/transportation
Wednesday's Tentative Witness List
PANEL I
- John Lehman, Commissioner, 9/11 Commission
- Jamie Gorelick, Commissioner, 9/11 CommissionPANEL II
- Rear Admiral Larry Hereth, Director of Port Security, United States Coast GuardPANEL III
- Dr. Stephen E. Flynn, Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Senior Fellow for National Security Studies, Council on Foreign RelationsBackground Information
On July 22, 2004, the 9/11 Commission released its final report. The report reviews in detail the events that occurred September 11, 2001, as well as political, economic, military and cultural circumstances that have combined to create a climate that is favorable for the generation and operation of fundamental Islamist terrorist organizations, such as Al Qaeda, that aim to attack Americans and American interests both at home and abroad. The 9/11 Commission's report makes a number of recommendations that would modify Federal activities to further safeguard homeland security.
The report recommends that the terrorist threat be specifically defined as being an Islamist terrorist threat and that Federal counter-terrorism efforts should concentrate on eradicating this threat on both a short-term and a long-term basis. To accomplish this goal the Commission recommends that America's strategy include, in part, continued offensive operations to eliminate known safe havens for Islamist terrorist groups and monitoring of numerous areas to prevent these areas from becoming sanctuaries for these groups.
The Commission acknowledges that these military and intelligence actions must be accompanied by an all-encompassing strategy to prevent the continued growth of Islamist terrorism worldwide. The Commission recommends that the United States affirm, in its actions, respect for the dignity and opportunity of human life over death, that U.S. foreign policy consistently define and stand up for its values of political participation, respect for law, and tolerance throughout the Muslim world, and that the U.S. increase opportunities for Muslim people to improve the lives of their families through scholarship, exchange, and economic programs. The Commission report also calls for the United States to continue building international coalitions to develop joint strategies to strengthen counter-proliferation efforts worldwide, to prevent the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by Islamist terrorist groups, and to identify, track and disrupt revenue streams that support these groups.
In order to protect against and prepare for future terrorist attacks, the 9/11 Commission recommends that the United States take action to improve overall transportation infrastructure. The Commission recommends that the United States aggressively implement strategies that would assist in the intercept of terrorists as they attempt to enter the United States and constrain the overall mobility of terrorists domestically and abroad.
The Commission recommends that a biometric screening system be developed and implemented and that data gathered through such a system be integrated fully into a larger network that includes other identification programs related to the transportation system and access to vital facilities. The Commission designates the Department of Homeland Security as the lead agency for this development and integration. This system should build and improve on the current USVISIT program. However, unlike the USVISIT program, the 9/11 Commission recommends that all persons entering the United States (not just at airports) be required to carry biometric passports, including Canadians, Mexicans, and Americans. The Commission recommends that measures be put into place to allow persons who frequently enter and exit this Nation's borders to speed through such a person, as these persons would likely pre-enroll and volunteer their information to the program. Instead, increased attention should be placed on less-frequent travelers, which the Commission sees as higher risks. The Commission requires that any system be developed with international cooperation so that information may be verified in real-time with the issuing country and so that effective inspection of biographical information will be ensured at all airports.
The Commission notes that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has failed to complete the Transportation Security Plan required by the Homeland Security Act as well as components of the overall Plan including the Maritime Transportation Security Plan. The Commission report recommends that Congress set specific dates for the completion of these plans.
The report recommends that DHS quickly develop the capacity to assimilate and analyze information from its component agencies including the Coast Guard, Secret Service, TSA, Immigration and Customs and Border Protection. The report also recommends that responsibilities and authorities related to homeland security and homeland defense be expressly delineated between DOD and DHS. Lastly, the report recommends that DHS be directed by oversight committees in Congress to quickly identify elements of the transportation, energy, communications, financial, and other institutions that need to be protected, to develop plans for protection of such institutions, and exercise measures identified by these plans to ensure protection. The Commission report recommends that both the Congress and DHS regularly assess the types of threats that this Nation faces in order to determine the adequacy of these plans and the readiness of the American government to respond to such threats.