Sean Reyes: “I am pleased to bring my colleagues' attention to one provision in the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference…”

“I am pleased to bring my colleagues' attention to one provision in the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report on non-intrusive inspection technology. The conference report directs Customs and Border Protection to accelerate its efforts to complete a field test of pulsed fast neutron analysis (PFNA) technology at the Ysleta border crossing. This field test is an important part of our Nation's efforts to use next-generation technology to better secure our borders while also facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. The Departments of Defense and Homeland Security have been working to carry out field tests of the PFNA truck inspection system in Ysleta, Texas. PFNA, described in a Fortune Magazine article earlier this year as 'beyond-Superman technology,' has the potential to enable inspectors to detect the chemical composition of articles deeply buried in a fully-loaded cargo truck. The use of such technology in interdicting explosives, chemical agents and weapons, nuclear devices, dirty bombs, drugs and other threats has the potential to prevent destruction and the loss of life. Earlier this month, U.S. Government screeners failed to detect, for the second time in two years, a shipment of depleted uranium in a container sent by ABC News from overseas. This is distressing and frightening news. Luckily it was just a test by one of our country's premier news organizations. However, we may not be so lucky in the future.”