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For Immediate Release
04/12/07
Contact: |
Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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Statement of Senator Daniel K. Inouye
Transportation Workers Identification Credentials (TWIC) Implementations Hearing |
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The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program has been under development since 2001 and despite $99.4 million in appropriations from Congress, it is still languishing at the Department of Homeland Security.
In our last hearing on this subject almost one year ago, we heard testimony about severe cost-overruns, contract mismanagement, excessive personnel turnover, poor communications and ineffective planning. At this hearing, we will examine whether the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the United States Coast Guard have taken actions to address those criticisms.
Additionally, I hope to hear how the agencies plan to deploy the biometric card enrollment and issuance process, and just as importantly, how the agencies plan to execute the pilot program for card reader technology.
While I do not want to dwell on the mistakes of the past, this Committee needs assurance that the Administration has taken seriously its mismanagement of the TWIC program. Given that the comprehensive management plan for TWIC required in the Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 is over two years past due to Congress, I can only conclude that the Administration is not taking its responsibility seriously enough. If the agencies continue to neglect the basic tenets of contract management and programmatic planning, failure is certain to result.
Completion of this program is a crucial step toward improving the security of our ports. Failure is unacceptable.
When Congress considered the SAFE Ports Act, we established implementation deadlines in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security. We did not want to impose a set of deadlines that the agencies would not be able to achieve. Working collaboratively, we required TWIC enrollment at the nation’s top ten high risk ports by July 1, 2007. As of today, we do not have even the most basic deployment schedule. I am informed that enrollment scheduled to begin in Wilmington, Delaware, in late March has been postponed until late May, at best.
I am also concerned that the low estimates of the population affected by the program are not realistic. This estimate is significant, in that it will determine the number of enrollment stations the contractor sets up and the number of trusted agents the contractor hires to process employees. An underestimate of the affected population would thus cause a domino effect, resulting in long wait times at the enrollment stations, poor customer service, and ultimately a slowing of the flow of commerce as labor circulates through a clogged enrollment and card issuance process.
As we move forward with testing and implementing card reader technology in the rough maritime environment, the TSA and the Coast Guard must appropriately balance their multiple missions of safety, security and efficiency for both facilities and vessels. The card reader systems cannot slow the flow of commerce through our terminals. The security practices the Department puts into place cannot compromise crew safety.
I can appreciate the challenges associated with addressing these divergent issues. It is a difficult balancing act. However, after six years and $99.4 million dollars, we still do not have access controls in our ports. We need to get this program on track, and on schedule, for the safety and security of our nation.
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26th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Ocean Acidification, Nobel Laureates, CAFE Hearings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following hearings:
Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on the 2006 Nobel Laureates for Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at 4:00 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building;
Full Committee hearing on the Pending Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Legislation, fo...
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26th - |
America COMPETES Act Passes Senate
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the United States Senate passed S. 761, the America COMPETES Act, a bill to expand basic research and development, and promote math and science education. The Act includes a provision authored by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), an original cosponsor of the bill, which would direct the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a men...
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25th - |
Committee Announces Rescheduled ATV Safety Hearing Date
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces the rescheduled date for the Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee Hearing on ATV Safety for Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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23rd - |
Chairman Inouye Encourages Passage of Innovation and Competitiveness Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) encourages the Senate to pass the America COMPETES Act, S. 761, which authorizes grants for the expansion and promotion of math, science, and technology research and development, as well as education programs from elementary through graduate school.
In a recent hearing on U.S. Competitiveness through Basic Research, Chairman Inouye not...
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23rd - |
Commerce Committee Announces U.S. Trade Relations with China Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science, and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hearing on U.S. Trade Relations with for Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the
Russell
Senate
Office
Building
.
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20th - |
Chairman Inouye Introduces Identity Theft Prevention Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), along with Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Consumer Affairs, Insurance and Automotive Safety Subcommittee Chairman Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-Ore.) introduced the Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2007 earlier today, which authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect consume...
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19th - |
Rural Air Service Hearing Announced
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Hearing on Improving Air Service to Small and Rural Communities for Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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19th - |
April 25 Executive Session Agenda Announced
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announces the agenda for its Executive Session scheduled for Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. The agenda includes:
1. Nominations for Promotion in the United States Coast Guard, (PNs 386 and 423)
2. S.357, Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Ac...
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17th - |
Trade Subcommittee Schedules Halliburton, U.S. Business Ties to Iran Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hearing on Halliburton and U.S. Business Ties to Iran for Monday, April 30, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building;
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17th - |
Statement of Senator Daniel K. Inouye on XM-Sirius and the Public Interest
- This morning the Committee considers issues related to the proposed merger of the two satellite radio operators in the United States, XM and Sirius.
While satellite radio is relatively new, it has grown rapidly. Today, XM and Sirius provide audio entertainment services to more than 13 million Americans. These subscribers listen to satellite radio primarily while drivi...
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16th - |
Commerce Announces Broadband and Competitiveness Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces a Full Committee Hearing on Communications, Broadband and Competitiveness: How Does the U.S. Measure Up? for Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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12th - |
current Press Release |
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11th - |
Commerce to Address Free Trade in Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Hearing titled Is "Free Trade" Working? for Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at 10 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
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2nd - |
VoIP, XM Sirius Subjects of Upcoming Commerce Hearings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation announces the following two hearings:
Full Committee Hearing on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and the Future of 9-1-1 Services for Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building; and
Full Committee Hearing on XM Sirius for Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at 10:00 a...
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Audio Clip | Video Clip
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