Gaping Loopholes in Homeland Security Still Exist on 1 Year Anniversary of DHS

NEWS FROM ED MARKEY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 1, 2004

CONTACT: Israel Klein or Mark Bayer (202) 225-2836

GAPING LOOPHOLES IN HOMELAND SECURITY STILL EXIST ON 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF DHS

Washington, DC: Rep. Edward J. Markey, a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee,
released the following statement on the one year anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security:

"A year after the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, many dangerous security
loopholes that expose America to serious risks of terrorist attack still remain wide open. Almost none of the
millions of tons of cargo transported aboard passenger planes is inspected for explosives or other dangerous
materials before it is loaded aboard planes. Flight attendants still are not receiving sufficient security training
to defend an aircraft, themselves and the passengers if terrorists again try to hijack an airplane to use as a
weapon. The Bush Administration continues to put the interests of the chemical industry over the need for
new, stronger and permanent security standards. Moreover, the Administration has not done nearly enough to
secure the nation's nuclear power and weapons facilities or other nuclear materials that could be used to
make a dirty bomb, despite the knowledge that Al Qaeda seeks to commit acts of nuclear terrorism."

"While the Bush Administration writes a blank check for security in Iraq, it is nickel and diming our
homeland security here at home. President Bush's budget request for the coming year cuts almost a billion
dollars for state homeland security grants, which is a critical source of funding for first responders around the
country. The White House's budget request does not include funding for interoperable communications
systems, despite the difficulties that first responders had communicating with each other on 9/11. And the
Bush Administration has short-changed other key defenders against terrorism, such as the Federal Air
Marshal Service."

"The employees of the Department of Homeland Security are on the front lines against the war on
terror, and they work hard to make us safer. The Bush Administration needs to do more to support the
efforts of these dedicated men and women by taking action now to close the dangerous security gaps that
persist a year after the creation of the Department."