Senator authored laws mandating 100% screening of air cargo, 100% scanning of inbound maritime cargo after terrorist attacks

Washington (September 11, 2013) - Senator Edward J. Markey (DMass.), former senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee and leading advocate for aviation, maritime, nuclear, chemical, and grid security released the following statement commemorating of the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"It has been twelve years since that fateful day when the planes that destroyed the World Trade Center took off from Boston. Those planes carried families and loved ones, passengers and crew, and the devastation nearly 200 miles south in New York City was also a heartbreak for communities across Massachusetts.

"Thanks to family members of victims, Congress created the 9/11 Commission, and we uncovered many of the security gaps and missed opportunities that led to the tragic attack. Six years ago, Congress passed legislation to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission as our nation's top priority. But we have seen all too painfully this year with the Boston Marathon attacks that more must be done to keep our people safe. As a nation, we must rampup our efforts to implement the security safeguards that are still needed in the wake of those terrible days.

"America's aviation, maritime, chemical and nuclear sectors are at the top of the target lists of terrorist groups. Our vigilance and advancing technology have prevented a string of attacks, but we must continue to anticipate the loopholes that today's and future terrorists aim to exploit and move aggressively to close them.

"One of the single greatest threats to our national security is the vulnerability of our country's electric grid to attack. National security experts agree that America's grid remains vulnerable to cyberattack that could result in widespread blackouts and devastate our security, economy and health. This year, I released a report with Congressman Henry A. Waxman that outlines the haphazard implementation of the voluntary security recommendations the utility industry fights to keep from being made mandatory. President Obama has taken important steps through Executive Order to address some of our cybersecurity vulnerabilities, but legislation, with requirements - not mere voluntary measures - is needed to fully ensure that the federal government has the necessary authority to protect against cybersecurity threats and that the utility sector is held to the toughest possible security standards.

"Despite authoring the legislation implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission that mandates 100 percent of all maritime cargo transported to our shores, including the Port of Boston, the Department of Homeland Security continues to allow my law to go unimplemented. The risks are unacceptable, especially since we know the technology and processes available to meet this commonsense mandate are ready and available. I will continue to urge the Obama administration to stop the delays and work to meet the 100 percent scanning mandate consistent with my law.

"In a victory for every person who steps on a passengers plan, this year, Republican Congressman Michael Grimm and I, along with a broad coalition of flight attendants, pilots, the Transportation Security Administration screeners' union and the airlines, were able to pressure the TSA to abandon its proposed policy to allow small knives back into the passenger cabins of planes. This effort, along with the Department of Homeland Security's success in meeting the mandate that 100 percent of domestic cargo traveling on passenger planes is secured means we are keeping passengers safer from the cabin to the cargo hold.

"The chemical weapons attack in Syria is a tragic display of the devastation that is caused by weapons of mass destruction. A terrorist attack on a chemical facility could wreak similar devastation for hundreds of thousands of people who live or work nearby. In the House, I offered legislation to require the use of costeffective safer chemicals and processes at chemical facilities in order to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack. The chemical industry has vigorously opposed these efforts, supporting exemptions for thousands of facilities that contain toxic chemicals from having to comply with even the inadequate law on the books. I will continue my work with Senate colleagues on comprehensive chemical security legislation to close the loopholes and give the federal government the tools it needs to keep these facilities safe."

"America's greatest strength our technological might was turned into a weapon used against us on September 11. Today's anniversary is a time for reflection. It also should be an urgent call to action to move forward with needed security upgrades."

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Contact: Giselle Barry (Markey) 2022242742

Eben BurnhamSnyder (Markey) 2022242742