House Committee On Homeland Security News

Lucinda Lessley has been named Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), the Biden Administration announced Thursday among a number of key appointments to its Department of Transportation (DOT) leadership team.Lessley will lead MARAD until an Administrator is nominated by the Biden Administration and confirmed by the Senate. She takes over from Doug Burnett, MARAD's Chief Counsel, who had been serving as Acting Administrator following Mark Buzby's resignation in the wake of the Capitol intrusion earlier this month.

The subcommittees are meeting today to examine the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the smuggling of nuclear materials in U.S. ports and other port security risks. This hearing follows last year’s hearing which examined the prevention and response to a dirty bomb at a U.S. port. It seems clear that Islamic extremists aspire to carry out a radiological attack, so this is a threat we need to take seriously. If they succeed even once, the consequences would be catastrophic. To be prepared, we must ensure that we have the proper screening and response protocols in place. Today we will continue to review these efforts as well as broader governmental efforts to reduce threats to our ports.

The maritime community is no more immune from cyber threats than any other entity that relies on computers and the internet. The maritime industry, though, constitutes part of the world’s critical infrastructure. Thus, the consequences of a successful cyber-attack on a maritime entity could be far greater than a successful cyber-attack on, for instance, a bakery. Consequently, it is important that the maritime sector and its numerous constituents adopt reasonable measures to deter, detect, and recover from cyber-attacks. Currently, much of the world’s attention is focused on terrorism. Cyber-attacks by terrorists are a real threat and steps must be taken to counter them. More commonly, though, cyber-attacks are launched by criminals, nation-states, and corporate spies.

ADM Robert J. Subcommittee. capabilities. For more than 220 years, the U.S. Coast Guard has safeguarded the nation’s maritime interests and natural resources on our rivers and ports, in the coastal regions, on the high seas, and around the world. The Coast Guard saves those in peril and protects the nation’s maritime border, marine transportation system, natural resources, and the environment. Coast Guard men and women – active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliarists alike – deliver premier service to the public. military force of maritime professionals whose broad legal authorities, assets, geographic diversity, and expansive partnerships provide a persistent presence in the inland waters, ports, coastal regions, and far offshore areas of operations.

The House Committee on Homeland Security sent an inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requesting information regarding potential glitches in the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  The inquiry seeks information regarding the reported loss to approximately 3,000 TWIC applications; reported delays in issuance of TWICs following submittals of applications; and reported delays in processing of requests for waivers and appeals. (Source: Holland & Knight)

Mr. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6999, the Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act of 2008. This legislation is based on similar Deepwater reform legislation, H.R. 2722, which passed the House by a vote of 426 to 0 last year, and on S. 924, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent. ·       Chairwoman Cantwell and Ranking Member Snowe of that Committee’s Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. Each of these Members worked to craft the thoughtful and measured legislation before us – and I applaud their leadership and their dedication to ensuring effective management and oversight both of the United States Coast Guard and of taxpayers’ resources. Mr.

For the past several years, maritime security has been on everyone's mind. From the halls of Congress to the longshoremen working the midnight shift, the threat of a possible terrorist attack on the maritime interests of the United States and dealing with new security requirements have kept this topic on the front burner. While most in the maritime industry are relatively aware of the legislation that has been promulgated since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, new evolving legislation continues to be implemented. In this regard, the most recent legislation that addresses the continuing implementation of the maritime security regime is the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008, HR 2830 (the "Bill").

The House Committee on Homeland Security issued a letter signed by Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) inquiring of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the status of production of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). The letter states that eight of the twelve machines used to make TWIC cards have been returned to the manufacturers for repairs and upgrades. The time frame for production of the cards has now increased from one-day to ten-days. The letter seeks a detailed response from DHS. Source: HK Law

The House Committee on Homeland Security issued said that the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Helpdesk established by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to serve as the primary means of communication between TSA and maritime workers who must obtain TWICs to continue their employment is not working because most calls go unanswered.

The Subcommittees on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack and on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology of the House Committee on Homeland Security conducted a hearing on detecting nuclear weapons and radiological materials. Mr. Vayl Oxford, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, Department of Homeland Security, testified regarding current nuclear detection equipment and regarding equipment under development. Mr. Gene Aloise, Government Accountability Office (GAO), testified regarding problems in coordinating nuclear detection programs among the various agencies and regarding the effectiveness of radiation equipment currently deployed. Ms.

The House Committee on Homeland Security conducted an oversight hearing on the Implementation of the TWIC Program. In his prepared remarks, Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) expressed his concern that the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program is far behind schedule and that the estimates of the number of workers affected are much understated. Testimony was for the record, as the hearing was interrupted by a floor vote. Rear Admiral Brian Salerno, USCG, explained how the program is being rolled out on a port-by-port basis and that progress is being made with regard to the card reader technology. Ms. Cathleen Berrick…

The Subcommittee on Border, Maritime & Global Counterterrorism of the House Committee on Homeland Security conducted an oversight hearing on Implementation of the SAFE Port Act. In his prepared statement, Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) noted that the transportation worker identification credential (TWIC) program and the container security device regulations are far behind schedule. Subcommittee Chair Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) expressed her interest in the C-TPAT third party validator pilot program, the empty container security pilot program, long range vessel tracking, and the TWIC program. Ms. Maurine Fanguy, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), discussed recent progress in implementation of the TWIC program.

On October 18, the House Committee on Homeland Security will conduct an oversight hearing on the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. (HK Law)

On April 26, the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime & Global Counterterrorism of the House Committee on Homeland Security conducted an oversight hearing on implementation of the SAFE Port Act. In his opening statement, Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) complained about the continual missing of deadlines in the port security program. RDML Craig Bone (US Coast Guard), Mr. Jayson Ahern (US Customs and Border Protection), and Ms. Maurine Fanguy (Transportation Security Administration) presented a joint statement summarizing the status of various maritime security programs. In her oral testimony, Ms. Maurine Fanguy discussed some of the complexities of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). She also released the list of TWIC Fixed Enrollment Sites. Mr.

On April 26, the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime & Global Counterterrorism of the House Committee on Homeland Security will conduct an oversight hearing on implementation of the SAFE Port Act. Witnesses consist of: RDML Craig Bone, US Coast Guard; Mr. Jayson Ahern, US Customs and Border Protection; Ms. Maurine Fanguy, Transportation Security Administration; Mr. Stephen Caldwell, Government Accountability Office; Mr. George Cummings, Port of Los Angeles; Mr. Richard Wainio, Tampa Port Authority; Mr. Leal Sundet, Longshore and Warehouse Union; and Mr. Manny Aschemeyer, Marine Exchange of Southern California. Source: HK Law

On April 26, the House Committee on Homeland Security will conduct an oversight hearing on implementation of the SAFE Port Act. Source; HK Law

The House Committee on Homeland Security said that Representative Thompson (D-MI), the new Committee Chair, introduced the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007 (H.R. 1). This lengthy measure, if enacted, would mandate various security enhancements, including strengthening of the unified incident command system; altering the biometric border entry and exit system; establishment of a border intelligence fusion center program; broadening transportation security strategic planning; increasing participation of private sector organizations in emergency preparedness and response activities; and codifying the Proliferation Security Initiative.

According to reports, U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas John Rood continues to push for The Bahamas to sign onto the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), but according to the country’s foreign minister, The Bahamas – the world’s third largest ship registry – remains cautious. The PSI would give the US the right to search any of thousands of Bahamas-flagged ship anywhere in the world under the pretext of searching for nuclear material or weapons of mass destruction. After applauding the conclusion of the Megaports Initiative (MPI) and the Container Security Initiative (CSI) as major accomplishments in US-Bahamas relations, Mr. Rood pointed out that The Bahamas has yet to sign on to PSI.

On May 22, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the US Coast Guard issued their joint 68-page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) in the maritime sector. 71 Fed. Reg. 29395 The comment period is now closed. There are 550 documents currently in the docket, expressing a wide variety of viewpoints. Possibly one of the more persuasive comments was submitted by four US Representatives serving on the House Committee on Homeland Security [Bernie Thompson (D-MS); Loretta Sanchez (D-CA); Jane Harman (D-CA); and Peter De Fazio (D-OR)]. They suggest…

Representative Lungren (R-CA) introduced the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act or SAFE Port Act (H.R. 4954) to improve maritime and cargo security through enhanced layered defenses, and for other purposes. On March 16, the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity of the House Committee on Homeland Security conducted a Hearing on the SAFE Port Act. In a Combined Statement, Jayson P. Ahern, Customs and Border Protection and Captain Brian Salerno, US Coast Guard, testified regarding vessel security, advance electronic information, the automated targeting system, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)…

The Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity of the House Committee on Homeland Security conducted a hearing on Coast Guard programs impacting maritime border security. Admiral Thomas H. Collins, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, testified concerning the Integrated Deepwater System and the Maritime Security Response Teams, among other things. Source: HK Law

The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology of the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities of the House Committee on Armed Services conducted a joint hearing on Responding to Catastrophic Events: The Role of the Military and National Guard in Disaster Response . Among the witnesses was Admiral Thomas H. Collins , Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, who summarized the Coast Guard’s actions following Hurricane Katrina. He testified that the Coast Guard’s primary missions in disaster response are: (1) saving lives in distress and survivability of our own forces for post-disaster response…

Members of Congressional Committee to Visit Port of Houston Democratic members of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security will visit the Port of Houston tomorrow. The democratic members of the congressional committee are reviewing port security strategies and tactics. The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) has applied for approximately $13 million in port security grant funds. Grants are expected to be awarded in May. Congress has approved an additional $150 million in port security grants for FY 2003. These funds will be available after the $105 million in supplemental congressional funds for FY 2002 have been awarded.