November 4, 2001

Washington, D.C.- No one who saw the images on Sept. 11 of two passenger airliners slamming into the World Trade Center buildings will ever look at air travel the same way again. Those images, as well as the news reports of security breeches at airports since Sept. 11, have brought the issue of airport security front and center in Congress. Last week, we addressed those concerns in the U.S. House by passing a comprehensive plan to improve aviation safety and security so Americans can get on with their lives, and feel safe again in the nation's skies.

The four main objectives our legislation would accomplish are to federalize standards of airport security, expand federal air marshal presence, ensure the fortification of cockpit doors and enact rigorous safety measures so baggage and passenger screening meet the highest levels of expectation.

The president has put a great emphasis on expanding the federal air marshal program. This bill will expand that program. In addition, the House is authorizing $500 million for cockpit and aircraft security. We are enhancing the Department of Transportation's ability to get the right people and the right companies for the job.

A federal law enforcement officer would be stationed at every screening location under our plan, in addition to the law enforcement presence already in place at our nation's airports.

When someone flies aboard an airplane from the United States, it ought to be assumed that dangerous weapons in the hands of the wrong people are non-existent. We all cringe when we hear about recent security breeches at airports, of weapons getting through checkpoints even in these times of heightened security. Our bill authorizes the federal government to set up rigorous standards and qualifications for baggage screeners from the private sector.

The federal government will conduct extensive background checks on the people who will be the final agent of security for our airplanes. This will ensure tough, new baggage screeners on the ground, ensuring the safety of Americans at airports around the country. Private sector companies under federal supervision would have a much easier time reprimanding employees who do not follow federal regulations.

The bill also requires that airport screeners be U.S. citizens and that they have a command of the English language. During this time of war, it's just common sense to require our security personnel have allegiance to the United States, and not other countries. And if they're going to be interacting with thousands of U.S. airline passengers every day, shouldn't they be able to speak English?

By giving the federal government a choice in the field of aviation security, we will give the professionals who know best a greater flexibility instead of trying to legislate security methodology from the halls of Congress.

The aviation security bill is first and foremost about safety and security. Prudent steps are taken to fix the problems we have in the short term, while planning ahead for the long term. It is a package that will help secure our skies and get our nation moving again.