Homeland Security

Policy Accomplishments for 2007

• Successfully launched the Coalition for Security and Competitiveness to advocate for an efficient, predictable, and timely export control system. Formulated 19 initial recommendations and presented them to President Bush, the National Security Council, and the departments of State, Commerce, and Defense.

• Secured a commitment from the Transatlantic Economic Council to develop a road map for achieving by 2009 mutual recognition of U.S. and EU secure trade programs (e.g., the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, and the EU's Authorized Economic Operator).
• Successfully opposed language in the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007 to require 100% inspection of air cargo on passenger planes, substituting a more practical risk-based screening requirement. Despite strong Chamber opposition, however, the legislation requires 100% scanning of all maritime cargo containers before they are shipped to the United States.

• Advocated successfully for a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and India on civilian space cooperation and between the United States and Japan on global navigation satellite systems. These agreements were a direct result of meetings the Chamber hosted between NASA officials and their Japanese and Indian counterparts.

• Secured a seven-year extension of TRIA, which created a federal reinsurance backstop against losses resulting from a catastrophic terrorist attack.

• Succeeded in convincing the leaders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States to develop a North American Plan for Avian and Pandemic Influenza.