CONTACTS: Linda Rozett/Rebecca Wilder
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WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce called on Congress to work quickly to reform the Transportation Security Administration’s hazardous materials (HAZMAT) driver background check program.  The statement came today as the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity held a hearing on Reforming HAZMAT Trucking Security.  

 

“It’s time to take a hard look at how we regulate the movement of hazardous materials in this country and put appropriate resources where they are needed,” said Andrew Howell, vice president of homeland security policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  “It is an undue burden to require that truck drivers undergo expensive and lengthy background checks to haul items such as paint, nail polish and soda.”
 
Currently, drivers who haul certain types of materials considered hazardous must undergo a background check that can sometimes last weeks or months, thereby having a significant impact on the timely movement of goods.  While it is critical to be sure that those moving truly dangerous goods are fully vetted, the Chamber encourages security regulations be narrowly tailored to focus only on the transport of materials that could be converted into terrorist weapons, such as explosives or radioactive materials.  
 
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

 

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