Senators Hutchison, Feinstein Release GAO Report Outlining Inadequate Air Cargo Security Protections

Senators Hutchison, Feinstein Release GAO Report Outlining Inadequate
Air Cargo Security Protections

-- Introduce Air Cargo Security Act to Improve Cargo Security --
January 15, 2003

Washington, DC - Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released a General Accounting Office report that outlines vulnerabilities in our nation's air cargo system. At the same time, Senators Hutchison and Feinstein introduced legislation that would reform the air cargo system. The following is the prepared text of Senator Feinstein's statement.

"Thank you, Senator Hutchison, for your strong leadership on this issue and your efforts to make America's air cargo system more secure. We have known for some time now that America's air cargo system is at grave risk from a terrorist attack.

That is why Senator Hutchison and I requested a report from the GAO last year - to examine vulnerabilities in the air cargo system. Confirming our fears, we learned just this week that terrorists may be targeting airplanes ferrying troops and cargo to the Persian Gulf - so this report is especially timely.

Although the U.S. has beefed up security for passenger air service, we have done very little to increase security in other areas - including the air cargo system. The GAO report identifies a number of areas that need to be addressed.

First, there aren't enough safeguards in place to ensure that someone shipping air cargo under the "known shipper" program has taken the proper steps to protect against use by terrorists. Second, cargo tampering is possible at various points where cargo transfers from company to company. Third, air cargo handlers are not required to have criminal background checks, and they do not always have their identification verified. Fourth and most importantly, most cargo shipped by air is never screened.

To address these problems, the GAO recommends that the Transportation Security Administration develop a comprehensive plan for improving air cargo security.

This plan should take into consideration risk, costs, deadlines, and performance targets and should include some of the following elements:

Requiring criminal background checks for employees handling freight;
Installing more cameras in cargo areas at airports;
Screening air cargo for explosives;
Controlling access to holding areas containing cargo;
Requiring the identity of people making air cargo deliveries to be checked;
Establishing an industry-wide computer profiling system.

Congress and the TSA must move quickly to implement these recommendations and shore up the vulnerabilities in our system, and I believe that legislation that Senator Hutchison and I introduced last year, and are reintroducing today, would do just that.

Develop a strategic plan, just as the GAO recommended to ensure the security of all air cargo;

Establish an industry-wide pilot program database of known shippers;

Set up a training program for handlers to learn how to safeguard cargo from tampering; and

Inspect air cargo shipping facilities on a regular basis.

The Aviation Security Act Congress passed soon after September 11^th required the Transportation Security Administration to screen and inspect air cargo "as soon as practicable."

This report shows we cannot wait any longer. The Senate passed this bill last year, but unfortunately the House failed to act by the end of the 107^th Congress.

The time is now for the Senate to take up and approve this legislation again - to prevent terrorists from tampering with the cargo loaded into the holds of our airplanes. Each time there is a major airplane crash or bombing, we reexamine our approach to aviation security. I hope it will not take another accident or attack for us to see this legislation enacted into law.

Once again, I would like to thank Senator Hutchison for her leadership on the issue of transportation security, and I urge my colleagues to support our legislation.