National Security Subcommittee Continues Shays Investigation into Sale of Military Equipment on the Internet

Press Release

The National Security and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, of which Congressman Christopher Shays (CT-4) is now Ranking Member, held a hearing today entitled "Investigation into the Sale of Sensitive, In-Demand Military Equipment and Supplies on the Internet."

The hearing, which continues the oversight the-Chairman Shays conducted in the l08th and 109th Congresses, explored implementing additional safeguards to better detect theft and restrict the transfer of sensitive technologies and military items to would-be terrorists, criminals, and non-friendly nations.

"As a direct result of this Subcommittee's oversight, DOD has improved its procedures for processing and disposing of military equipment," said Shays. "However, we still need to focus on the actions needed to prevent sensitive military equipment from being sold to the public. I particularly thank Chairman John Tierney for continuing these hearings on such a bipartisan basis."

"Today's hearing builds off of the oversight work that Mr. Shays spearheaded during his time as Chairman of this Subcommittee," stated Chairman Tierney. "Through the previous impressive work of the GAO special investigative team, this Subcommittee was able to identify and play a helpful role in correcting weaknesses in Defense Department controls regarding excess property. I want to thank our Ranking Member for leading those past hearings and for working with me on this current bipartisan and constructive oversight effort."

In 2002, the Subcommittee discovered DOD had been selling top grade chemical protective suits to the public while military units were waiting in line to acquire the same gear. The Subcommittee later determined DOD was selling items on the Internet that could be used to make a biological warfare laboratory, for pennies on the dollar.

In 2005, the Subcommittee uncovered the fact DOD was transferring, donating or selling excess property in new or good condition while at the same time purchasing similar items for our soldiers, and later confirmed through a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation that sensitive military equipment was being sold or given to the public.

Although a July 2007 GAO report entitled Sales of Sensitive Military Property to the Public confirmed DOD has strengthened procedures for processing and disposing of military equipment after these hearings, GAO recently discovered night vision goggles, F-14 parts, body armor, and infrared tape being sold on the Internet.

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