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03/16/2004: "Senatorial intelligence failures"

In another security matter, there did seem to be a lack of congressional oversight about the 9/11 highjackings. From The Portsmouth [NH] Herald September 14, 2001:

Brian Sullivan, who retired in January as an FAA risk management specialist in the New England, said he warned federal authorities as early as May of security problems at Logan. He even suggested then that the airport was vulnerable to multiple hijackings.

"Think what the result would be of a coordinated attack which took down several domestic flights on the same day," Sullivan wrote in a letter to Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. "The problem is that with our current screening system, this is more than possible. We don't have to wait for a tragedy to occur to act."

Kerry's office said it took Sullivan's concerns seriously and sent his letter, along with a news video Sullivan had included, to the General Accounting Office for review.

The GAO did not "give us follow-up on that," said Kerry spokeswoman Kelly Benander.

(Hat tip to link challenged Neal Boortz. First link active 3/16, Second link predicted to be active after.)

According to Senator Kerry's web site, Senator Kerry is a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, who's jurisdiction includes aviation. As Senator Kerry is not on the aviation subcomittee, it is more difficult to impugn him here.