WMD, Chemical and Biological

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The Battling Bills of Chemical Security – Much Ado About Nothing?

August 6, 2010

Late last week, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) unanimously approved a bill to extend the DHS Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program for an additional three years. The bill includes several contentious provisions, including “inherently-safer technology (IST)” review, chief among the attention-getters. IST is great idea in theory but looking at IST in the larger scheme of chemical facility issues, IST is really just a component of a more complex trade off assessment, going well beyond merely switching out chemicals.

Security Debrief |

July 30, 2010

By Adam Salerno
When Congress passed the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, the law mandated 100 Percent Screening of cargo onboard passenger aircraft “commensurate with checked baggage.” The deadline for that mandate is this weekend, August 1, 2010. The law seeks to ensure that all 20 million lbs. of cargo is screened in advance of flights for explosive detection prior to transport. While a changing world dictates new necessities to secure the supply chain, the need for expedited trade is an important priority that must be maintained. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognizes this fact, which is why we support a multi-layered risk based approach to security which maximizes effectiveness and minimizes impact on businesses.

L. Vance Taylor |

July 29, 2010

Two Senate committees, three chemical security bills and one issue to rule them all – the role of so-called Inherently Safer Technologies (ISTs) in America’s approach to safeguarding communities from acts of terrorism. With DHS’ Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) set to expire in October, lawmakers in the Senate are taking steps to keep it alive. What form the program ultimately takes will depend on whether legislators choose to focus on politics or national security.

Bill Would Nix Deadline for Scanning Cargo at Foreign Ports

Media Watch |

July 28, 2010

Bill Would Nix Deadline for Scanning Cargo at Foreign Ports – CQ Homeland Security
A new bipartisan bill would eliminate the congressional mandate for the Department of Homeland Security to scan all U.S.-bound cargo in foreign ports for radiation by 2012. The bill is one of two measures introduced this week that would reauthorize the 2006 law known as the SAFE Port Act (PL 109-347), which aims to improve maritime and cargo security through layered defenses.

U.S. nuclear safety agency unveils new data, physical security controls

Media Watch |

July 12, 2010

U.S. nuclear safety agency unveils new data, physical security controls – Homeland Security Newswire
The agency that oversees the U.S.’s nuclear weapons stockpile announced last week the rollout of new information and physical security controls aimed at balancing efficiency and safety. Officials said, though, that the implementation of cybersecurity improvements is about a year behind the progress the agency has made on physical protection.

Rich Cooper |

July 9, 2010

As we continue to swelter in the ongoing summer heat wave, it is easy for me to reminisce about my recent visit to Aspen, Colo. Tucked amongst the Rockies with its clean air, fervent green and majestic views, a town known primarily for its skiing with the rich and famous was home to what was, simply put, the best conference program I have ever attended. The first annual Aspen Security Forum put forward a program that I can only describe as pleasant, informational waterboarding. By the time each of the presenters and panelists were done, my hand was dead from writing so much and my head hurt from being given the firehouse treatment of a candor and content overload. Here’s a rundown of some of the sessions.

David Olive |

June 25, 2010

Earlier this week, the House Homeland Security Committee marked up the WMD Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2010 in an effort to implement recommendations from the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism (the so-called Graham-Talent WMD Commission). Despite the clearly recognized threat of another terrorist attack on U.S. soil, congressional leadership still had not recognized that its failure to defragment congressional oversight of homeland security matters is contributing to our lack of preparedness for when this attack occurs. Shame on them if they don’t pay attention to the warnings from Representatives Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Peter King (R-NY) at the time of the WMD bill markup.

Rich Cooper |

June 18, 2010

As every person knows, words have consequences. They can raise someone up or tear them down. Depending on how they are used, words can change the meaning and significance of events. They can also ruin someone’s career, and the past days and weeks have given us example after example of just that. In each of these instances, prominent people have essentially opened their respective mouths and inserted their feet with such speed that everyone around them is in a collective gasp of shock, saying, “What did you say?” When the wrong words are used in moments of stress and crisis (e.g., Gulf oil spill, Afghanistan conflict), the consequences can be grave.

Better, Faster Biodetection Around the Corner, Official Says

Media Watch |

June 15, 2010

Better, Faster Biodetection Around the Corner, Official Says – CQ Homeland Security
Federal researchers are developing a revolutionary new method of biodetection that they say could identify nasty germs in a matter of hours, not weeks or months, and possibly save thousands of lives during a biological outbreak or attack.

House Homeland Panel Takes Up WMD Bill This Week

Media Watch |

June 14, 2010

House Homeland Panel Takes Up WMD Bill This Week – CQ Homeland Security
A House Homeland Security subcommittee is expected to cruise through a markup of legislation aimed at improving the United States’ ability to prevent and respond to weapons-of-mass-destruction attacks.

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