Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs News

Today, during a ceremony in Detroit, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the next Arleigh Burke class destroyer, DDG 120, will be named Carl M. Levin in honor of the longest serving senator in Michigan history. During his 36 years in the Senate, Levin was a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and its chair for more than nine years. He also served as chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, as a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He led the Senate in adoption of the Defense Authorization Acts from 2007 through January 2015 when he retired.

The Offshore Marine Service Association announced that Ben Billings has officially assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Billings comes to OMSA from Washington, D.C. where he has worked for the past nine years on maritime issues in the U.S. Senate for Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Billings commented on his return to his native New Orleans and the experience he brings to OMSA, saying, “I am very happy to have this opportunity to return home for such an important mission.

The Offshore Marine Service Association announced that it will begin a transition of leadership. Several months ago, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Adams informed the OMSA Board of Directors that he would be stepping down by the end of the year to manage a startup business that he and his partners have developed in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. “Jim has done an outstanding job and he will be genuinely missed. He has expertly guided OMSA through some difficult waters.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducted a hearing on ensuring full implementation of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations. Quick review of the prepared remarks of the Senators and witnesses fails to reveal any discussion of container screening in particular or maritime security in general. Source: HK Law

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducted a hearing entitled Homeland Security: The Next Five Years. As explained in her opening statement, Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) wants to assess the homeland security challenges the next five years will bring. Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security, discussed those challenges, including port and maritime security. He noted that not every risk can be eliminated, so the goal is to prioritize the threats and address those of highest importance. Among the various witnesses, Richard A. Falkenrath, Deputy Commissioner for Counterterrorism, New York City Police Department, stated that the threat of a weapon of mass destruction in a shipping container has been exaggerated.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs received a Briefing from Administration personnel on the Dubai Ports World (DPW) acquisition of the Peninsular & Oriental (P&O) company. Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) issued a Press Release stating that she introduced a resolution calling for a thorough review and Congressional consultation before the transaction could proceed. Source: HK Law

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducted a hearing on the topic of ‘Always Ready’: The Coast Guard’s Response to Hurricane Katrina . Rear Admiral Robert F. Duncan , USCG, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, summarized the Coast Guard’s efforts to prepare for and respond to the hurricane. During the response phase, the Coast Guard rescued over 33,000 people. Source: HK Law