[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 125 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H5934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PUTTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN CHARGE OF AIRPORT SECURITY

  (Mr. DeFAZIO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the House of Representatives 
passed a $15 billion airline bailout bill with not one penny in that 
bill for enhanced aviation security; no mandate for a change in 
aviation security. The administration tells us we will have to wait 
till October 1 to get their recommendations.
  It has been 14 years since I introduced my first bill to enhance 
screening at airports and checking of baggage. Many other Members 
introduced bills before I did, but for years, we have been thwarted by 
the Air Transport Association and member airlines, and they gave us the 
system we have today, a mish-mash of private security firms, some of 
whom are on probation for violating the rules, one whose manager is in 
jail, still providing security at our airports, lowest bidding firms 
for screening, uncoordinated local, State or Port Authority police on 
the airside.
  It is time to put the Federal Government in charge of airport 
security.

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