Aviation Security Not Up To Snuff?

A House Committee on Homeland Security investigative report prepared for Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Committee Democrats finds that the Department of Homeland Security has left 33 separate promises to strengthen aspects of homeland security unresolved ahead of the New Year.

"It's our job in Congress to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable for the work that it does and doesn't do. It would be one thing if the Department didn't identify security lapses in the first place, but a more troubling situation when they make promises to the American people and then leave them unfulfilled."

The report notes that, '33 unfulfilled promises from the Department of Homeland Security leave the Democrats on this Committee with a great many questions about whether the Department is really doing its job. It appears that the Department has dropped the ball ahead of the New Year, leaving a great number of questions to be answered and our security in jeopardy until these promises are fulfilled.'

Specifically, the report identifies 33 promises that date back to 2002 that were made by various members of the Department's leadership and remain unfulfilled. The report chronicles gaps in ten separate sectors of our homeland security -- ranging from port security and aviation security to preparedness for possible chemical and biological attacks.

"The findings of the report are significant because they uncover a number of unnecessary vulnerabilities to our homeland security that the American people deserve to know about.

"Where I come from in Mississippi, a person's word means a great deal. How are Americans expected to trust that the Department of Homeland Security is up to the job of securing them when it has let them down again and again?"

FMI: http://hsc-democrats.house.gov/