Security Briefs - Sept. 26 - Oct. 2
The Latest Headlines:
- Homeland Security Bill Stalled in Senate
- Oshkosh Delivers Launch Platforms to Army
- TSA Imposes Hiring Freeze
- Oshkosh Delivers Launch Platforms to Army
Homeland Security Bill Stalled in Senate
A four-week standoff in the Senate of the future of the Homeland Security Department continued Tuesday, increasing the likelihood that a bill would not be passed before this November’s elections, the Associated Press reported.The main sticking point continues to be the labor rights of the 170,000 federal employees that would staff the department, AP said.
Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) told AP that the bill is “on a life-support system.” Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) said that the issue of the homeland security bill wasn’t just another partisan issue and that currently the apparatus for keeping the United States safe from terrorists was disorganized and that disorganization was dangerous.
Democrats have aligned themselves with unions in the dispute over workers’ rights in the department, but the Bush administration is insisting on broad freedom of personnel issues. Transport Topics
Oshkosh Delivers Launch Platforms to Army
Oshkosh Truck Corp. has delivered two new specialized trucks under a contract with the U.S. Army, the company announced Wednesday.The trucks are Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks with Load Handling Sys-tems, modified for use as launch platforms for the Theater High Altitude Defense weapon system.
Built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, THAAD is a mobile ground-based theater ballistic missile defense system designed to protect forward-deployed military forces, population centers and civilian assets, the Oshkosh press release said.
Oshkosh, based in Oshkosh, Wisc., said testing of the two vehicles is scheduled to be complete in May 2003, at which time the company plans to begin delivery of the next nine carriers. Transport Topics
(Click here for the press release.)
TSA Imposes Hiring Freeze
The Transportation Security Administration imposed a hiring freeze Wednesday night as it neared the 45,000 employees that Congress authorized, the Associated Press reported.A new batch of airport screeners will begin work this weekend, leaving the TSA payroll near Congress' cap but below the approximately 67,000 employees it has sought.
Since trucks carry cargo to and from airports, changes in airport security can affect how they do business.
Congress gave TSA until Nov. 19 to take over the responsibility of screening passengers from private companies, an effort the agency says will take about 30,000 people. In addition, the TSA was given a Dec. 31 deadline to hire people to screen all commercial air travelers' baggage for explosives, which it says will require 21,600, AP said. Transport Topics
