Schumer gives Bush a C- on homeland security

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) gave the Bush administration a C minus for his annual homeland security report card issued Monday and says transportation systems like the Long Island Rail Road are still

News 12 Staff

Sep 8, 2008, 11:30 PM

Updated 5,800 days ago

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Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) gave the Bush administration a C minus for his annual homeland security report card issued Monday and says transportation systems like the Long Island Rail Road are still vulnerable to a terrorist attack.
Though it?s been seven years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. and there hasn?t been an attack since, Schumer says the federal government has not been doing a good job of securing the nation.
Last year, Schumer gave the administration a C. He broke this year?s grade down into components, giving ports security a D, aviation a C and mass transit a D grade.
?For the few years after 9-11 there was an all out push,? Schumer says. ?And now it seems to have been forgotten in Washington.?
Specifically, Schumer says the LIRR is a potential terrorist target. He says the administration promised to put devices that detect explosives or other kinds of harmful material in stations and trains, but hasn?t.
While Schumer says nuclear power plants like Westchester?s Indian Point are more secure than ever, the country must not get complacent. He urged the Bush administration to secure funds for protecting the country?s transportation systems, nuclear plants and other potential targets.


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