The Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 weaves its way through Congress. At the same time, other DHS projects are fraught with mismanagement.
On Monday, March 16, 2010, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D, NY), Chairwoman of the House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, introduced the Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010. This bill would authorize the DHS S&T Directorate for FY2011 and FY2012. The committee approved this and it makes its way towards Congressional approval.
That's good news for the tech, cyber security and supply chain sectors. The bill addresses a huge public concern: safe products, safe borders and applying the same standards to shipments that we do to the traveling public (i.e. pre-notification paper work, authenticated ID and inspection). It should be welcomed by voters.
However, some current projects are not faring so well at DHS.
On March 16th Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano pulled the plug on the so-call virtual border fence, SBInet, due to poor project management and other issues.
Those following the issue will remember the blunt interview with Steve Kroft on 60 Minutes, in January. You can see the interview with Steve Kroft here.
A sign on the fence of a ranch along the US/Mexico border
that discourages all trespassers but the Border Patrol near
Campo, California in this photo taken March 17, 2008.
Credit: Reuters/Fred Greaves
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