Congress Hosts Houston Hearing on Security Measures in the Event of a Terrorist Attact

Texas Insider Report: HOUSTON Texas On Wednesday Congressmen Michael McCaul William Keating Sheila Jackson Lee & Gene Green questioned U.S. Department of Homeland Security & Port Authority officials on the security measures in place to protect one of the nations largest ports. Although we have made progress since the 9/11 attacks in enhancing the security of the nations ports we cannot afford to be complacent. The danger is very real that we may be escorting a weapon of mass destruction to its target. For every mile along the Houston Ship Channel that dangerous cargo passes an additional 2000 people are at risk" commented Congresswoman Jackson Lee. The Port of Houston which consists of the upper most 26 miles of the Houston Ship Channel is a significant economic engine locally regionally and nationally.  Each year the port is responsible for nearly $285 billion in economic activity supports more than 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs and generates $16.2 billion in tax revenue annually nationwide.  It is also home to the second largest petrochemical complex in the world.

It is important that we set aside our partisan differences and work collectively to provide the necessary resources to our federal state and local governments to secure not only the Port of Houston that operates upon an offshore energy infrastructure but to also secure Outer Continental Shelf facilities and deepwater ports.  The security measures needed to protect the offshore energy infrastructure as we look to our ports is critical" said Jackson Lee.