• Dept. of Homeland Security will impact trucking

    The Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS), with 22 agencies and 170,000 federal employees, will have significant impact on the trucking industry. The Cabinet agency, the largest federal government reorganization since the Dept. of Defense was created in 1947, was approved yesterday by a 90-9 U.S. Senate vote. The Transportation Security Agency (TSA), the U.S. Coast Guard, and the border security arm of
    Nov. 20, 2002
    2 min read
    The Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS), with 22 agencies and 170,000 federal employees, will have significant impact on the trucking industry. The Cabinet agency, the largest federal government reorganization since the Dept. of Defense was created in 1947, was approved yesterday by a 90-9 U.S. Senate vote.

    The Transportation Security Agency (TSA), the U.S. Coast Guard, and the border security arm of the U.S. Customs Service will be transferred to the DHS from their respective homes in the Dept. of Transportation and the Treasury Dept. Security for the nation's 301 ports, including port access for trucks, will also fall under DHS's jurisdiction.

    While the new department has one year in which to get organized, funding has already become an issue. President George W. Bush has requested $38 billion in funding for the DHS next year, but has only received approval for $640 million so far.

    Port security initiatives alone will require $700 million in new funding, according to the American Assoc. of Port Authorities, but only $250 million has been earmarked to date.

    The TSA is also in the midst of a funding crisis, working with $466 million less than it expected to cover the needs of aviation, rail, and trucking security. According to The Washington Post, the TSA has put $20 million in truck security grants on hold due to a lack of funding.

    About the Author

    Sean Kilcarr

    Editor in Chief

    Sean Kilcarr is a former longtime FleetOwner senior editor who wrote for the publication from 2000 to 2018. He served as editor-in-chief from 2017 to 2018.

     

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

    Sign up for our free eNewsletters

    Latest from News

    Brakebush Transportation
    Brakebush Transportation was awarded the 2025 FleetOwner Private Fleet of the Year Award, sponsored by Descartes, for midsize operations.
    Members Only
    Leaders of Brakebush Transportation, a century-old family business, share some of their innovative strategies and deep commitments to drivers that earned their operation FleetOwner...
    235064334 | Welcomia | Dreamstime.com
    diesel tech retention
    Retaining diesel technicians requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond traditional compensation strategies.
    Schneider
    schneider 90th anniversary
    Schneider hosted an anniversary event, honoring a legacy that began in 1935 and grew to 12,500 trucks today.