WASHINGTON, DC - The New York Times reported today that a classified Administration report of a national terrorism preparedness drill conducted earlier this year revealed serious gaps in response on both the federal and local levels. Among the problems based on the response in Chicago and Seattle - the drill's staging grounds - were poor communications, poor prediction of radiological residue and public health equipment and facility shortages. In response to the report, House Democratic Task Force on Homeland Security Chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY-14) issued the following statement.

"To anyone who has followed the Administration's treatment of homeland security, this is more confirmation than surprise. The Gilmore Commission said attention to homeland security has waned. The Council on Foreign Relations reported that our local responders are underfunded and unprepared. My Task Force surveyed local officials, who said they do not feel plugged in to federal homeland security activities.

"Instead of listening to what everyone is saying, the Administration conducted its own $16 million drill to see it with their own eyes. They shouldn't be shocked by the results.

"The question now shouldn't be 'what happened,' it should be 'where's the action?'For a long time, we've been begging for stronger federal security and more assistance to local responders.

"But let's get this straight: the Administration found serious security holes in Chicago and Seattle. What was their response? They cut Seattle's high-threat grants by 44% and Chicago's by 17%. Clearly, they don't believe their lying eyes."

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