WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a hearing of the Surface
Transportation Subcommittee today, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas),
Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee,
called on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure that the
security of our nation’s rail, bus and highway networks be a top agency
priority.
“The security of the nation’s surface transportation
systems, although long overshadowed by aviation security, must be one of our
nation’s highest priorities,” said Senator Hutchison. “It has been more than eight years since the
terrorist attacks of September 11th, and during that time there have
been more than 700 attacks on rail and bus systems around the world, killing
and injuring thousands of people.
Fortunately, there has not been a successful attack in the United States
like the recent bombing on the Moscow subway system. But the recent plot to
detonate explosives on the New York City subway demonstrates the seriousness of
the threats to our surface transportation systems.”
Senator Hutchison noted that the fiscal year 2010 budget for
the nation’s surface transportation security is just $110 million, which
represents just over two percent of TSA’s total budget. She said that this
level of funding is not equal to the level of risk facing the country. Recent reports by the U.S. Government
Accountability Office (GAO), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Inspector General concluded that TSA has still not completed an overall risk
assessment of mass transit, the passenger rail system, or the commercial
vehicle sector. The White House also
conducted its own independent assessment of surface transportation security released
on April 2, 2010. That assessment was
conducted by reaching out to government and private sector stakeholders and
found that there are significant overlaps in federal programs and agencies. The
assessment also noted a need for more coordination between government agencies
and the private sector.
“It is critical that TSA, as the lead agency on these issues,
steps up to the plate and exercises more leadership when it comes to surface
transportation security,” Senator Hutchison said. “An important step is the appointment of a
TSA Administrator, a position that has been vacant for more than a year. I hope the Administration will be sending up
a new nominee — and one who we can confirm — as soon as possible.”
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You can watch Senator Hutchison’s statement here.