HSToday: Lawmakers Pay Close Attention to Yemen Cargo Plot

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Members of Congress have revealed they have been receiving briefings on the Yemen cargo bomb scare from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) generally and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) specifically.

While many have been pleased with the counter-terrorism effort overall, some suggest that TSA could do more to boost cargo screening

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Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) lamented, "Once again we have a stark reminder that, whether a shoe bomb, liquid bomb, underwear bomb, or package bombs, all originating from foreign locations, terrorists are still trying to penetrate our security systems. Our security measures are still reactionary, rather than the proactive steps I have called for in the past.

"Rather than dedicating personnel and resources to pat down little old ladies and citizens who pose no threat, we should be directing our resources to where the real threat exists: foreign departure sites," he continued. "We need to dramatically increase our security presence at international departure sites and establish better security protocols for foreign locations."

Increasing security at these sites should not cost significantly more money. Instead, TSA should restructure and spend money appropriately on actual threats. The Christmas Day bombing attempt, perpetuated by suspected Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab with PETN, demonstrated the need for TSA to place more personnel overseas, Mica said.

"With proper realignment of personnel and resources, the TSA could adjust its priorities to better protect us from the multiple threats seen from abroad. After the Christmas Day bomber, we learned that the TSA has very few security personnel overseas and I called for a realignment of personnel at that time. I am again calling for the TSA to align it resources to meet security threats," Mica declared. "In such situations, international agreements and protocols are necessary. If we fail to reach these agreements, I will be prepared to take measures to limit access to the United States for any and all air carriers from countries that are unwilling to comply."

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