U.S. must hike security or risk attack: report

WASHINGTON — The U.S. is at great risk for more terrorist attacks because Congress and the White House have failed to enact several strong security measures, members of the former Sept. 11 commission said Sunday.

“It’s not a priority for the government right now,’’ said t h e for m e r c h a i r m a n , Thomas Kean, ahead of the group’s release of a report Monday assessing how well its recommendations have been followed.

“ More than four years after 9/11 ... people are not paying at tention,’ ’ t h e former Republican governor of New Jersey said. “God help us if we have another attack.’’

Added Lee Hamilton, the former Democratic vice chairman of the commission: “ We believe that another attack will occur.

“ It’s not a question of if. We are not as well-prepared as we should be.’’

The five Republicans and five Democrats on the commission, whose recommendations are now promoted through a privately funded group known as the 9/11 Public Discourse Project, conclude that the government deserves “more Fs than As’’ in responding to their 41 suggested changes.

Since the commission’s final report in July 2004, the government has enacted the centerpiece proposal to create a national intelligence director. But the government has stalled on other ideas, including improving communication among emergency responders and shifting federal terrorism- fighting money so it goes to states based on risk level.

“There is a lack of a sense of urgency,’’ Hamilton said. “There are so many competing priorities.” Associated Press