[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 126 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9809-S9811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. CRAPO (for himself and Mr. Craig):
  S. 1459. A bill to designate the Federal building and United States 
courthouse located at 550 West Fort Street in Boise, Idaho, as the 
``James A. McClure Federal Building and United States Courthouse''; to 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
naming the Federal building and United States courthouse in Boise, ID, 
for our former colleague Senator James A. McClure.
  Jim McClure ably served Idaho for 24 years in the United States 
Congress, including 18 years here in the Senate. At the time of his 
retirement from the Senate in 1991, Jim McClure was one of the most 
senior members of the Republican Conference, serving as its Chairman 
from 1981 to 1985. Prior to entering Congress in 1967, Jim McClure also 
served 6 years in the Idaho State Senate.
  Throughout his service in Congress, Jim McClure was widely recognized 
for his expertise on energy and natural resource issues, especially in 
the areas of mining, forestry, public land, water, and natural resource 
law. As Chairman of both the Senate Interior Appropriations 
Subcommittee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Jim 
McClure was a key legislator behind the establishment of the Hells 
Canyon National Recreation Area in western Idaho and eastern Oregon. 
Jim McClure also led the drive for the creation of the Frank Church 
River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho, and he was instrumental in 
helping to assist and improve Idaho's rural economy and standard of 
living.
  Known for his ardent support of second amendment rights and hard-line 
stance on foreign policy and defense issues, Jim McClure was an 
influential voice in working with several administrations on arms 
control issues. In 1990, he was a part of a four-member Senate 
delegation that visited Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to express 
concern about Iraq's development of chemical, biological, and nuclear 
weapons.
  Having retired from the Senate more than 10 years ago, Jim McClure 
has continued to be active in working with Congress on behalf of many 
important groups in Idaho and throughout the country. His civic-
mindedness has also been illustrated through his service as a Trustee 
for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
  As former Prosecuting Attorney for Payette County, ID, as well as 
former City Attorney for Payette, the renaming of this courthouse for 
Jim McClure is an appropriate tribute to his service to Idaho and to 
the Nation. I invite my colleagues to join Senator Craig and me in 
honoring Senator James A. McClure through this legislation. Mr. 
President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1459

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF JAMES A. MCCLURE FEDERAL BUILDING 
                   AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE.

       The Federal building and United States courthouse located 
     at 550 West Fort Street in Boise, Idaho, shall be known and 
     designated as the ``James A. McClure Federal Building and 
     United States Courthouse''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     and United States courthouse referred to in section 1 shall 
     be deemed to be a reference to the James A. McClure Federal 
     Building and United States Courthouse.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DURBIN:
  S. 1461. A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to require 
that the screening of passengers and property on flights in air 
transportation be carried out by employees of the Federal Aviation 
Administration, and to assist small- to medium-size airports with 
security enhancements; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.
  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I rise today to introduce a very timely 
and important piece of legislation, the Airline Passenger Safety 
Enhancement Act of 2001.
  This legislation would require the Federal Government to operate 
passenger and carry-on baggage security checkpoints and screening 
operations in airports. The federalization of the screening process, 
and the Federal Government's role, will be accomplished by using FAA or 
U.S. DOT personnel, security personnel detailed by other Federal 
agencies, or by establishing a government or government-controlled 
corporation to screen carry-on baggage and the traveling public. 
Additionally, the FAA will have the authority under this Act to make 
changes and adjustments in screening policy to assure safety.
  This legislation would require the FAA Administrator to immediately 
make arrangements with airport operators for armed, uniformed law 
enforcement personnel at passenger, carry-on baggage and employee 
security checkpoints. O'Hare and Lambert Airports have already posted 
such personnel at passenger and carry-on baggage checkpoints.
  The Airline Passenger Safety Enhancement Act of 2001 also would 
require the FAA Administrator to conduct a comprehensive study to 
determine how best to organize the security

[[Page S9810]]

operations at airports in cooperation with air carriers and local 
airports in order to secure the safety of passengers and workers. A 
report to Congress would be required no later than 30 days after the 
enactment of this legislation. This report would include 
recommendations for legislation to assure greater airport security.
  I've heard from a number of Downstate Illinois airports that support 
stronger airport security procedures. However, these airports will be 
asked to shoulder a heavy financial burden. For example, the Central 
Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington-Normal will likely need to 
spend as much as $30,000 per month for additional security measures. 
These funds are above and beyond what has been budgeted and could 
create a financial hardship for the airport. The Department should 
explore ways to help smaller airports by providing resources and 
technical assistance to upgrade security and enhance passenger safety. 
My legislation would provide for additional support to these small-to-
medium size airports by providing them with added financial and 
technical support which would enhance, upgrade and improve security 
operations.
  I am hopeful that these upgrades and improvements of a federalized 
security system can be paid for through an added fee of up to $1.00 per 
domestic flight segment.
  While this concept generally appears to be supported by the airlines 
and by some in the Administration, I think it's important for Congress 
to act swiftly to codify these important changes.
  In closing, together, we can craft common-sense solutions that 
protect passengers, secure our airports, and ensure that our aviation 
system is the safest in the world and I believe this legislation can 
make that happen.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. SNOWE.
  S. 1462. A bill to establish the Federal Emergency Transportation 
Administration; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.
  Ms. SNOWE. Madam President, I rise today to introduce legislation, 
the National Emergency Transportation Coordination Act of 2001, to 
address a serious concern I have in the wake of last week's tragic 
events.
  Last week, I met with local transportation officials in my home State 
of Maine to review the enhanced security measures implemented since the 
September 11 attacks. During my meetings, these officials expressed 
serious concerns about security coordination among different modes of 
transportation. Apparently, drastically differing standards of safety 
and security were used by Federal officials in different cities during 
the attacks.
  For obvious reasons, this lack of coordination could be of 
significant concern in the future. The fact of the matter is, we did 
not know last Tuesday's attacks were coming. We certainly didn't know 
where, or in what form. In the future, my hope is that our intelligence 
will be enhanced so that we may thwart terrorist attacks before they 
occur. Nonetheless, I believe it is critical that we be prepared for 
any contingency. To this end, the legislation I am introducing today 
gives the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. DOT, the authority 
and tools necessary to safeguard our national transportation 
infrastructure in the event of a national emergency.
  Specifically, my legislation will enhance coordination within the 
U.S. DOT and with other federal agencies to safeguard our 
transportation infrastructure in the event of an emergency. It will 
centralize within U.S. DOT the authority to: 1. coordinate national 
transportation and transportation-related activities of all federal 
agencies during a national emergency; 2. disseminate critical 
transportation-related information during an emergency; and 3. develop 
and notify appropriate federal, state and local authorities of uniform 
emergency transportation security standards to be followed during an 
emergency and to ensure those standards are followed.
  It will establish within the U.S. DOT a Federal Emergency 
Transportation Administration, FETA. FETA would be responsible for 
coordinating domestic transportation during a national emergency, 
including aviation, maritime and port security, and surface 
transportation, including rail. FETA would coordinate transportation-
related responsibilities of other agencies during an emergency as well. 
FETA could serve as a point of contact within U.S. DOT for the Office 
of Homeland Security laid out by the President last Thursday.
  In addition, FETA would be responsible for establishing uniform 
national transportation ``emergency'' standards, and notifying 
appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and governments about 
transportation-related security threats in the event of an emergency. 
It would also develop appropriate standard operating procedures for 
agencies and municipalities to follow during an emergency and 
disseminate critical transportation-related information during.
  As a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation, I know that steps are already being taken to safeguard 
our airports and our skies. However, there is no guarantee that, should 
there be another terrorist attack on our soil in the future, that 
aviation will be the only mode of transportation targeted. We must not 
take that chance. We must take steps to ensure that all our modes of 
transportation are coordinated in the event of such an attack. I 
strongly urge my colleagues to join me in a strong show of support for 
this legislation.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire:
  S. 1463. A bill to provide for the safety of American aviation and 
the suppression of terrorism; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation.
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent 
that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1463

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Airline Safety Act of 
     2001''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four 
     civilian aircraft, crashing two of the aircraft into the 
     towers of the World Trade Center in New York, New York, and a 
     third into the Pentagon outside Washington, District of 
     Columbia.
       (2) Thousands of innocent Americans and citizens of other 
     countries were killed or injured as a result of these 
     attacks, including the passengers and crew of the four 
     aircraft, workers in the World Trade Center and in the 
     Pentagon, rescue workers, and bystanders.
       (3) These attacks destroyed both towers of the World Trade 
     Center, as well as adjacent buildings, and seriously damaged 
     the Pentagon.
       (4) These attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist 
     attacks ever launched against the United States and, by 
     targeting symbols of America, clearly were intended to 
     intimidate our Nation and weaken its resolve.
       (5) Armed pilots, co-pilots, and navigators with proper 
     training will serve as a deterrent to future contemplated 
     acts of terrorism.
       (6) Secured doors separating the crew cabin from the 
     passenger cabin have been effective in deterring hijackings 
     in other nations and will serve as a deterrent to future 
     contemplated acts of terrorism in the United States.

     SEC. 3. AVIATION SAFETY AND SUPPRESSION OF TERRORISM BY 
                   COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT.

       (a) Possession of Firearms on Commercial Flights.--No 
     department or agency may prohibit a pilot, co-pilot, or 
     navigator of a commercial aircraft, or any law enforcement 
     personnel specifically detailed for the protection of a 
     commercial aircraft, who is not otherwise prohibited by law 
     from possessing a firearm, from possessing or carrying a 
     firearm for the protection of the aircraft.
       (b) Reinforced Cockpit Doors on Commercial Aircraft.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, a commercial aircraft described in paragraph (2) that is 
     operated in the United States shall possess a door or doors 
     separating the crew cabin of such aircraft from the passenger 
     cabin of such aircraft, which door or doors shall be 
     certified by the Secretary as being secure against forcible 
     entry from the passenger cabin into the crew cabin of such 
     aircraft.
       (2) Covered commercial aircraft.--A commercial aircraft 
     described in this paragraph is any commercial aircraft that, 
     as determined by the Secretary, is configured so as to permit 
     a door to separate the crew cabin and passenger cabin of such 
     aircraft.
       (c) Regulations.--The Secretary may prescribe regulations 
     for purposes of this section.

[[Page S9811]]

       (d) Reports to Congress.--Not later than six months after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, and every six months 
     thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
     on the effectiveness of the requirements in this section in 
     facilitating commercial aviation safety and the suppression 
     of terrorism by commercial aircraft.
       (e) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself and Mr. McConnell):
  S. 1465. A bill to authorize the President to provide assistance to 
Pakistan and India through September 30, 2003; to the Committee on 
Foreign Relations.
  Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, I am introducing today a bill, along 
with Senator McConnell, and there will be others who will be added as 
cosponsors to the bill, to provide limited authority to the President 
to provide assistance to Pakistan and India.
  This bill provides a limited waiver authority to the President to 
provide foreign aid assistance to Pakistan and to India. I do not need 
to remind anybody in this body of the difficulty facing particularly 
Pakistan at this time, as General Musharraf, the Chief Executive of the 
country, stepped forward to support the United States in this time of 
fighting international terrorism, particularly that which is based in 
Afghanistan.
  Yet because of prior legislation, the United States cannot provide 
certain types of aid to Pakistan that I believe the administration may 
well need to provide to Pakistan to keep the Government there, to 
provide support and help to the Government.
  For instance, the U.S. Government today, because of sanctions that 
were put on Pakistan by law and there is no waiver authority, cannot 
provide more than $50 million in foreign aid assistance to Pakistan. 
They can in some areas provide below $50 million, but they cannot 
provide any more than that. They can do no debt rescheduling. There are 
no balance of payment supports the United States can provide to 
Pakistan. These are a lot of funds, but I want to point out what would 
take place if the Pakistani Government gets into great difficulty and 
the United States is not able to help.
  General Musharraf controls nuclear weapons and missile capacity as 
well. If the Government of Pakistan does not survive, it will probably 
move to a more radical regime that will have both nuclear weapons and 
the capacity to delivery those nuclear weapons to our allies and even 
possibly U.S. interests.

  Pakistan is helping us against this battle of terrorism. We need to 
lift all sanctions to work with them. We are going to need to help them 
economically during this very difficult time for them and for us.
  As we move forward in this battle on terrorism, we are going to have 
to work with people in many ways. There is a military component that 
people watch, but there is also a strong cooperative component which 
needs to take place. We need to work with our potential allies around 
Afghanistan so that we can go into the country of Afghanistan or 
support resistance fighters around Afghanistan and in Afghanistan, 
which I think is the better route to go, for us to drain the swamp and 
be able to get the terrorism at that point in time or cause them to 
move and capture them at that time.
  The administration is asking for this important assistance. They will 
need to work very closely with Pakistan. The Musharraf government has 
had sanctions imposed on it because they triggered particular 
provisions by their own actions. The administration is going to have to 
weigh that very carefully. If they are going to return to an elective 
government, which the Pakistani President and the Supreme Council of 
Pakistan, the Supreme Court has stated that they will next October have 
free elections to elect their leadership, we are going to have to 
appraise this as it moves forward.
  Right now the Bush administration does not even have the authority to 
waive these sanctions to provide foreign aid, debt repayment, and 
assistance. They do not even have the option. This bill will provide 
them the waiver authority to provide that assistance. It means the 
sanctions will still be in place, and the administration will have to 
decide whether or not to lift them.
  I am introducing this bill now because I would like to see it 
included either on the Defense authorization bill, foreign ops 
appropriations bill, or as a freestanding bill passing through this 
Congress. This needs to take place. That is why I am introducing this 
bill and drawing it to the attention of my colleagues. We need to do 
this, and we should not be parsimonious in this time of great 
difficulty for us and for them. I thank the Chair.

                          ____________________