The Committee on Homeland Security chairman holds a hearing in North Texas Friday to discuss the response to the country's first Ebola diagnosis.
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R) and other officials talk about the coordinated response by federal, state and local authorities at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport at noon.
"We will also examine ways we can continue to improve our preparedness and capabilities, particularly when it comes to screening passengers entering the country," McCaul said.
McCaul said effective coordination at all levels of government is vital for all aspects of our security, from Ebola prevention to the threat posed by terrorists such as ISIS.
"With the interconnected nature of our world, threats to the homeland are only a flight away," said.
McCaul and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn wrote a letter to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner requesting that D/FW and Houston George Bush Intercontinental airports be selected for enhanced screening due to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. McCaul said those airports combined for more than 15 million international passengers in 2013.
“Because those traveling from Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia can transit to the United States from many other countries, we have concerns that the current decision to screen only at five airports may not adequately protect Americans and others traveling to America from the Ebola virus.," McCaul said.
The letter also pressed for further information on enhanced screening procedures, including details on the tracking system in place for those traveling from impacted countries and information on what measures are being taken at ports of entry other than airports.
