Oversight of the State Department's Antiterrorism Assistance Program

On June 4, 2008, the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs held an oversight hearing into the State Department’s Antiterrorism Assistance program.

The ATA program is the largest counterterrorism program run by the State Department and aims to enhance the antiterrorism skills of friendly countries by providing training and equipment. This hearing was the first opportunity for the Government Accountability Office to testify in Congress about their investigation into the program, as well as the first chance for Department of State officials to respond to questions from Members of Congress about the GAO’s conclusions and recommendations.

Witness List:

Charles M. Johnson, Jr., Director, International Affairs and Trade, U.S. Government Accountability Office

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Deputy Coordinator, Programs, Policy, Budget and Operations, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism

Lynda Tibbetts, Acting Director, Office of Antiterrorism Assistance, Bureau of Diplomatic Security