HARMAN STATEMENT ON SECURITY AND INFORMATION SHARING
Congressional Desk
January 17, 2010
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) released the following statement about security and information sharing in light of the Christmas bomb incident:
"We now know that a significant security failure occurred and I applaud President Obama's tough and candid statement -- a welcome contrast from his predecessor, who never admitted any mistakes.
"The advanced screening technology (which is made in my congressional district and I have recently seen) is effective and its images can be filtered to display suspicious items while protecting personal privacy. Scanner production is being ramped up substantially, but this is not just about screening.
"As an author of the 2004 Intelligence Reform Act, I have been saying for years that better information sharing is needed and turf cannot be jealously guarded. That Act set up a process to transition from a "need to know" to a "need to share" culture, but the Christmas bomb incident is evidence that we have much work to do. When government officials receive credible tips like that provided by Abdulmutallab's father regarding Yemen -- which I consider to be the new FATA -- someone's hair should be on fire.
"The layered security system now in place must be updated to focus on those areas where al Qaeda is known to be active, including the United States."
"We now know that a significant security failure occurred and I applaud President Obama's tough and candid statement -- a welcome contrast from his predecessor, who never admitted any mistakes.
"The advanced screening technology (which is made in my congressional district and I have recently seen) is effective and its images can be filtered to display suspicious items while protecting personal privacy. Scanner production is being ramped up substantially, but this is not just about screening.
"As an author of the 2004 Intelligence Reform Act, I have been saying for years that better information sharing is needed and turf cannot be jealously guarded. That Act set up a process to transition from a "need to know" to a "need to share" culture, but the Christmas bomb incident is evidence that we have much work to do. When government officials receive credible tips like that provided by Abdulmutallab's father regarding Yemen -- which I consider to be the new FATA -- someone's hair should be on fire.
"The layered security system now in place must be updated to focus on those areas where al Qaeda is known to be active, including the United States."
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