Lawmakers Review TSA's Progress On 100% Air Cargo Screening Mandates

 The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing Wednesday to review the screening programs and regulations that TSA has established to fulfill cargo screening requirements and give lawmakers the opportunity to question TSA on the status of 100 percent air cargo screening requirement both domestically and internationally.

Provisions in the 9/11 Act require 100 percent screening of all air cargo aboard passenger aircraft by Aug. 1, 2010.

In her opening statement, Subcommittee Chairwoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) stated, "If enacted properly, fulfillment of the cargo screening mandate will be a major milestone in aviation security...."

John Sammon, TSA assistant administrator for transportation sector network management, stated that 100 percent of domestic air cargo will be screened by the August 2010 deadline.

On screening of international cargo, Sammon highlighted challenges that exist in meeting a 100 percent screening mandate, but laid out a goal for doing so by 2013. In response to questions regarding the "hold up" in 100 percent international air cargo screening, Sammon stated that the timeframe for each international government to setup a long-term, sustainable government-based program is the biggest hurdle. Jackson Lee requested that Sammon report to the committee in writing as to why that process cannot be expedited.