| Washington, DC – Congressman Bill Shuster has introduced legislation, H.R 2663, to close a glaring loophole in our homeland security and prevent another attack like 9/11.
While all passengers on domestic and international flights arriving in or departing from the United States are screened for ties to terrorism, no such rule exists for flights that do not land, but only fly over our territory. Shuster’s legislation would close that loophole and require the Transportation Security Administration to screen passengers on “over-flights” for ties to terrorism.
“It’s outrageous that six years after the attacks of September 11th, we are still at risk because our government has not acted to close loopholes in our homeland security,” Shuster said.
“The danger from a hijacked flight from London to Pittsburgh is no different than a hijacked flight from Paris to Mexico if they both fly over our airspace. So why are they screened differently? The threat is clear and the Department of Homeland Security must act to plug this hole in our security.”
“Al-Qaeda is determined to carry out a mass casualty attack on the United States. The recent plots against Ft. Dix and JFK airport clearly show their desire has not wavered and the terrorists’ fascination with using airliners as a tool to carry out an attack is still strong,” Shuster added.
Last month, the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General released a report on an incident that occurred on Northwest Airlines flight 327 in June of 2004. During the incident, 13 Middle Eastern men were seen moving about the cabin in a coordinated manner and exhibited behavior that seemed threatening to passengers, crew as well as the Air Marshall on the flight. The event is now recognized as a ‘dry run’ for a terrorist attack.
“Requiring the TSA to screen passengers on flights over our airspace is an important piece of the security puzzle,” Shuster concluded. “My legislation will ensure that we do everything to protect our nation from a determined and twisted enemy.”
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