DHS Snubs Cargo Security Deadline Leaving Ports at Risk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, December 13, 2007
(WASHINGTON) - This past summer, the President signed into law the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, which required the Department of Homeland Security to establish standards for container security devices (CSDs), a critical element of maritime security.
This law required the Department of Homeland Security to implement CSD standards by April 1, 2008, after DHS had failed to meet an earlier requirement for standards by April 2007 (Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006). Despite this clear mandate, DHS has disregarded and violated the letter of the law, now saying that it will not comply with the April 2008 requirement.
“The Department is looked to for setting security standards and enforcing laws, and here they are doing just the opposite,” commented Chairman Thompson. “This is the second time DHS is missing the mark on cargo security and it is two times too many. We shouldn’t be waiting any longer for DHS to set standards for equipment that already exists,” added Chairman Thompson.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Todd Levett at (202) 225-9978.
