BY CHRIS STROHM, CONGRESSDAILY

Regardless of which political party takes over the White House Jan. 20, the new administration will have to move quickly to meet several looming deadlines in 2009 related to critical homeland security programs.

In addition, lawmakers and administration officials say the Homeland Security Department must be ready and vigilant for the upcoming presidential transition, especially since similar events in other countries have been marred by terrorist attacks.

Specifically, deadlines will quickly materialize next year for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the US-VISIT foreigner tracking system, the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program and the so-called Real ID law.