Hollings and McCain Request GAO Investigation of Maritime Security Efforts

Senator Hollings, (D-S.C.), issued a press release stating that he and Senator McCain, (R-Ariz.), have requested that the General Accounting Office (GAO) investigate whether the Administration is properly implementing the mandates of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA). Hollings also reported that the Department of Homeland Security awarded $75 million to "high threat" ports nationwide and an additional $35 million for radiological defense at the ports of New York/Newark and Charleston. The Letter to GAO requests an investigation of the Administration's overall plan for implementing responsibilities under the MTSA. Specific emphasis is placed on vulnerability assessments, the Sea Marshal program, AIS, maritime intelligence, transportation worker identification cards, secure intermodal transportation, and foreign port assessments. Source: HK Law