U.S. Lawmakers Urge Homeland Security Department to Allow Additional Study of Detection Plans

U.S. lawmakers have urged the Homeland Security Department to allow congressional auditors to review the agency’s testing of radiation sensors designed to screen vehicles and cargo containers, the Washington Post reported today (see GSN, Aug. 2).

The $1.2 billion program drew criticism from the Government Accountability Office this summer after investigators found that department had overstated the performance capabilities of the detectors.  Legislators have held back funds for the program, saying they would prefer to purchase the sensors only after they have greater confidence in the technology (see GSN, July 20).

Department officials have said they would examine their detector plans, but would ask the Defense Threat Reduction Agency to conduct a review instead of asking for a GAO study.

“There is ample reason to be concerned that the GAO lacks the critical experience and expertise necessary for a project of this magnitude," said department spokesman Russ Knocke.  “We want to involve the very best experts in the field. … That is why the department has asked the Defense Threat Reduction Agency for an independent review.”

Two U.S. representatives criticized that decision in an Aug. 10 letter to department.

“On its face, it would appear such efforts are nothing other than an attempt to lessen the impact of potentially bad news from the GAO report,” wrote House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Representative Bart Stupak (D-Mich.).

They accused the department of conducting an “end run” to avoid scrutiny.

On the Senate side, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) also supported a GAO study.

The program “involves some highly technical issues.  Getting a second opinion from a panel of experts can only be helpful,” he said in a statement.  “We also need GAO to do what it does best:  ask the tough questions and provide Congress with the facts” (Robert O’Harrow, Washington Post, Aug. 16).

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