Counterterrorism Experts Describe Erosion of Post-9/11 Security Measures

National security specialists told the House Intelligence Committee that post-9/11 security measures have weakened since the 2004 report by the 9/11 Commission. Bruce Hoffman of the Council on Foreign Relations testified that the security architecture built after the attacks is diminishing or falling into disrepair.

He said the National Counterterrorism Center remains legally barred from addressing domestic terrorism. Hoffman also noted that new FBI agent training has been shortened from 21 weeks back to the original 16-week format.

the National Security

Institute at George Mason University described Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act as the government's most valuable intelligence collection tool. He warned that repeated short-term extensions have led technology companies to limit cooperation during authorization gaps.

Lawmakers recently extended the provision until June 12. Jaffer urged Congress to make the authority permanent and to avoid reimposing limits on information sharing between intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

Director and TSA Administrator John Pistole said the bureau was not focused on the threat of hijacked planes before 2001. He credited post-attack reforms but stated that threats and risks remain high.