Bipartisan Policy Center Report Card Finds That Nine Unfinished 9/11 Commission Recommendations Leave U.S. Vulnerable

Kean and Hamilton urge immediate implementation of recommendations

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly one week before the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) released a report card, which highlights nine of the 41 recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission in July 2004 that remain unfinished.  The report was authored by BPC's National Security Preparedness Group, under the leadership of former 9/11 Commission Chair Tom Kean and Vice Chair Lee Hamilton.

Click here to read the report and view the report card.

In remarks at a press conference in Washington today, Governor Kean said, "While substantial progress has been made in fulfilling many of the Commission's recommendations, these nine unfinished recommendations demonstrate that we are not as secure as we could or should be, and we urge immediate action to complete their implementation."

Key unfinished recommendations include the need for increased coordination at a disaster scene, including a unified command structure.  Congress should pass legislation to allocate the additional radio spectrum to improve radio interoperability for first responders, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with state and local governments, must work together to address gaps in unity of effort and accelerate emergency communications.

"These unfulfilled recommendations require urgent attention because the threat from al Qaeda, related terrorist groups and violent extremists persists," said Congressman Hamilton at today's press conference.  "The terrorist threat will be with us far into the future, and we must constantly assess our vulnerabilities."

The report also found that congressional oversight of the government's homeland security and intelligence functions remains as dysfunctional as it was when the Commission released its report in 2004.  While strengthening congressional oversight may be among the most difficult of the Commission's recommendations to implement, Congress should immediately consolidate jurisdiction over DHS within the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees and establish separate subcommittees for funding the intelligence agencies.  The formation of a Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board should also be a priority.  While legislation was enacted to create this Board, it has been dormant for more than three years.

The report cites the establishment of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the National Counterterrorism Center as areas of significant progress.  Still, further clarity about the DNI's role is needed.  While much progress has been made to secure our borders since 9/11, including the biometric entry system known as US-VISIT, there is still no comprehensive exit system in place. Full deployment of a biometric exit system should be a high priority, as should the immediate setting of standards for the issuance of birth certificates and sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.

"Dedicated men and women in government and the private sector should be credited for their efforts and accomplishments in improving our national security over the last decade, including the transformation of the intelligence community and improved screening of airline passengers," said Governor Kean.  "Still, nearly a decade after 9/11, the nation is not yet prepared for a truly catastrophic disaster."

"On the tenth anniversary of the attacks, it is appropriate to reflect and take stock of where we are in homeland security reform," said Congressman Hamilton.  "While we have done much since the attacks ten years ago and are safer than we were that day, there is much more to do.  Political leaders from both parties and at all levels of government should renew their focus on implementing the remaining 9/11 Commission recommendations."

NSPG is composed of a distinguished bipartisan group of experts, including former U.S. Secretary of Energy and U.S. Senator E. Spencer Abraham, Peter Bergen, Dr. Stephen Flynn, Dr. John Gannon, Dr. Bruce Hoffman, former Congressman Dave McCurdy, former Attorney General Edwin Meese III, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Ridge, former Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Frances Townsend, former U.S. Attorney General Richard L. Thornburgh, former Congressman Jim Turner, and former Secretary of Agriculture and BPC Senior Fellow Dan Glickman. Rob Strayer, formerly on the staff of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, is the Executive Director.  Under the leadership of Governor Kean and Congressman Hamilton, NSPG monitors the implementation of the 9/11 Commission recommendations and focuses on emerging security threats.

About the Bipartisan Policy Center:
Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchell, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a non-profit organization that drives principled solutions through rigorous analysis, reasoned negotiation, and respectful dialogue. With projects in multiple issue areas, BPC combines politically-balanced policymaking with strong, proactive advocacy and outreach.  For more information, please visit our website: www.bipartisanpolicy.org.

SOURCE Bipartisan Policy Center

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