Hearing: Are We Safer 10 Years After the Maritime Transportation Security Act?
A Congressional hearing on Tuesday will review the Coast Guard’s implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) since its passage 10 years ago. The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), will examine what improvements still need to be made to enhance the security of our nation’s maritime transportation system.
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation developed legislation to establish a framework to improve the security of the nation’s ports, waterways, and vessels from potential terrorist attacks. On November 25, 2002, this legislation (MTSA) was signed into law as P.L 107-295. The Coast Guard is the lead agency tasked with implementing and enforcing the major provisions of the MTSA.
Recent reports and testimony from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) have highlighted areas of MTSA implementation that are incomplete or unsatisfactory, including the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, foreign seafarer identification, and foreign port assessments.
The Subcommittee will receive testimony from GAO, as well as the Coast Guard, the American Association of Port Authorities, and the World Shipping Council. For more information about the hearing, click here.
WHAT: Hearing of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Chairman:
“Tenth Anniversary of the Maritime Transportation Security Act: Are We Safer?”
WHEN: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 11, 2012
WHERE: 2212 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
A live webcast of this hearing will be available at http://transportation.house.gov
WITNESSES:
• Rear Admiral Joseph Servidio, Assistant Commandant for Preparedness, United States Coast Guard
• Mr. Stephen Caldwell, Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Government Accountability Office
• Ms. Beth Rooney, Manager of Port Security, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, testifying on behalf of American Association of Port Authorities
• Mr. Chris Koch, President & CEO, World Shipping Council