WASHINGTON (AP) -- Since the Sept. 11 attacks, federal agencies have taken big steps to prevent terror attacks and to respond if they should occur. More needs to be done, however, particularly to help state and local authorities, a report by congressional auditors said Tuesday.
The report by the General Accounting Office recommended that the new Homeland Security Department assess the nation's greatest risks and vulnerabilities to determine what its top priorities should be.
The GAO examination of what federal agencies have done to strengthen homeland security was requested by Sen. Joseph Lieberman, chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. The review included agencies that will be part of the new Homeland Security Department, such as the Coast Guard, and others that will have important roles from outside the department, such as the FBI.
Scott Stanzel, a White House spokesman, said the administration is ``pleased with the progress that has been made in protecting the homeland.''
``We know there is much more work to be done, and we are hopeful that Congress will act quickly on the president's request to double funding for homeland security,'' he said.
The GAO cited many signs that agencies have been boosting homeland security efforts. The Energy Department has strengthened security at nuclear weapons complexes; the Defense Department created a Northern Command to defend U.S. territory; the FBI shifted more than 500 agents to counterterror work.
Federal agencies have placed a greater emphasis on sharing information with each other, the GAO said. A recently completed congressional investigation into the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks found that intelligence agencies were not providing information about terror suspects to outside governmental agencies such as the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Some agencies have not been included in homeland defense plans that should have, the report said. For example, the General Services Administration, which oversees federal office buildings, was not contacted by the Homeland Security Office about protecting U.S. facilities along the border, the report said.
The GAO said federal agencies have increased cooperation with state and local governments, but more help could be provided. The National League of Cities is worried about delays in new money for police, firefighters and paramedics. The league fears federal authorities won't provide money to pay for new requirements, such as for improved training of emergency personnel.
The GAO also recommended that federal officials do more to improve collaboration with private businesses.
The new department will begin operations next year. It will comprise 22 agencies and 170,000 employees.
Related:
