The Latest: Sen. Ron Johnson criticizes border-index effort

SAN DIEGO – The Latest on Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson’s rejection of a colour-coded system to measure border security. All times local:

1 p.m.

The chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is criticizing a now-derailed effort to use a system of reds, yellows and greens to measure border security.

Ron Johnson said Friday that a consultant’s report that cost the Department of Homeland Security $90,000 addresses a question for which the answer is known. He says measuring border security is complex and requires sophisticated and consistent metrics — not colours.

The Wisconsin Republican says a bill he has introduced would include measurements that help the government decide how to spend money on border security.

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3 a.m.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson rejected a colour-coded scheme to measure border security after hiring a consultant that dismissed the idea as simplistic and misleading.

The proposed index came after a colour-coded system to measure terror threats was dropped in 2011 amid widespread confusion and ridicule.

Agency staff proposed the system of reds, yellows and greens in 2014. The Institute for Defence Analyses says in a 53-page report obtained by The Associated Press that Homeland Security should avoid repeating mistakes.

The proposal was never made public, nor was the consultant’s report. Asked about its status, agency spokeswoman Gillian Christensen says there are no plans for a colour index to measure border security.