Lawmaker questions TSA on screening program
NITL (The National Industrial Transportation League) -- Logistics Management, 4/16/2008 8:15:00 AM
Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), the primary author of the 100 percent air cargo screening mandate signed last August, issued a press release stating that he has responded to reports that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may try to meet the mandate by requiring companies that pack cargo shipments to perform the screening.
"TSA appears to be working seriously to implement a screening program to meet the new higher security standard. Still, there are important issues that need to be resolved to ensure that TSA's current plans will comply with the new law," said Markey.
"If cargo is screened before it reaches the airport, which appears to be a central element of TSA's plans to comply with the law, how will it be sealed to prevent tampering? It remains unclear whether a secure chain of custody can be established to make certain that bombs or other dangerous items are not inserted into cargo after screening occurs. TSA is in the preliminary stages of testing its approach, but if TSA's plans ultimately fall short, Congress will need to take steps to ensure that the air cargo security mandates in the 9/11 Commission law are met,” the lawmaker said.
Markey noted he has requested that the Government Accountability Office study TSA's plans to determine whether they will meet the standards in the new law. He said the agency will begin its work in the months to come.
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