Homeland Security Transportation Security Panel to Hold Oversight Hearing on Federal Air Marshal Service – TOMORROW

Washington, D.C. – The Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security, chaired by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) will hold a hearing entitled “Last Line of Defense: the Federal Air Marshal Service 10 Years After 9/11” tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Room 311 Cannon House Office Building. 

At tomorrow’s hearing, the Subcommittee will examine whether today's Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) uses taxpayer dollars effectively and efficiently to address the ever-evolving threats we face from terrorists seeking to attack our transportation systems.  Members will have the opportunity to examine the impact of FAMS operations on aviation security; recent changes inside FAMS as a result of reorganization within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); and the impact proposed budget cuts may have on FAMS.

Rogers said: "We all know that the outcome of one of the darkest days in our nation’s history could have been very different if we had Federal Air Marshals on those planes. But the reality is the terrorists have adapted to our security measures and changed their tactics. We saw this on Christmas Day in 2009 and in other attempted attacks since 9/11.  With an annual budget approaching $1 billion, to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted we need to ask the question of whether today's Federal Air Marshal Service is capable of preventing current and future terrorist threats."

What:                Subcommittee Hearing on “Last Line of Defense: the Federal Air Marshal Service 10 Years After 9/11”

When:                2 p.m., Thursday, February 16, 2012

Where:              311 Cannon House Office Building

                          **Live video feed will be available HERE

**Due to the nature of the information at this hearing, the Subcommittee may move to close the hearing to receive classified testimony**

Opening statements, witness testimony, and the live video feed will be available online HERE. 

Witness List:

Mr. Robert S. Bray, Assistant Administrator for Law Enforcement, Director, Federal Air Marshal Service, Transportation Security Administration

Mr. Michael Novak, Assistant Administrator, Training and Workforce Engagement, Transportation Security Administration

Mr. Roderick J. Allison, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Law Enforcement, Deputy Director, Federal Air Marshal Service, Transportation Security Administration

Mr. Charles K. Edwards, Acting Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security

**NOTE:  At 1:00 p.m., the Subcommittee will convene to conclude the hearing entitled “Screening Partnership Program: Why is a Job-Creating, Public-Private Partnership Meeting Resistance at TSA?”  This hearing began and was recessed on February 7. 

###