[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 157 (Wednesday, November 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MORE THAN ONE ROUTE TO SAFER SKIES

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                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 14, 2001

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member commends to his colleagues the 
following editorial from the November 12, 2001, Norfolk Daily News. The 
editorial offers insightful comments on the issue of aviation security 
and the proper role for the Federal Government.
  Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, much attention has 
been focused on the need to improve security at our nation's airports 
and in our airplanes. Clearly, there are a number of areas that need 
prompt improvement. The bill approved by the House on November 1, 2001, 
(with bipartisan support) would do much to strengthen our nation's 
aviation security.
  The House-passed bill creates a new Transportation Security 
Administration within the Department of Transportation. It also 
Federalizes the airline security screening process and requires strict, 
new standards. However, the House version gives the President the 
flexibility to determine which option provides the highest degree of 
security--either using Federal employees or developing a Federal-
private sector coordination. This Member hopes that an agreement will 
be reached soon which allows the aviation security legislation to be 
sent to the President.

                      Unanimity Not Same as Right


      Senate, House have important differences about federal role

       It was of special interest that in the debate about 
     federalizing airport security personnel, the U.S. Senate was 
     unanimously in favor. The rare 100-0 margin may have 
     influenced the vote in the House, but not enough to carry the 
     majority in the lower chamber.
       A measure designed to change the present system, but not to 
     the point of federalizing all the workers, passed the House 
     by a narrow margin. That leaves the outcome to negotiations 
     between members of the House and Senate.
       Some believe these wide differences point to unnecessary 
     partisanship. We see it based on important principles of 
     governance. For the proponents of federalization, Sen. John 
     McCain described it not altogether accurately: ``This is 
     about law enforcement, and law enforcement is a federal 
     function.'' But law enforcement is also a local and state 
     responsibility. There is actually a division of 
     responsibilities, which need not be a weakness unless 
     agencies do not cooperate.
       The Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the 
     Pentagon succeeded not so much because of failures in airport 
     screening procedures (box cutters and small knives were not 
     considered dangerous as guns), as because of deficiencies in 
     another system that is unarguably and totally a federal 
     responsibility. That is, the system to protect America's 
     borders, to bar illegal entry or access by those who intend 
     harm. Of course, this is a virtually impossible task to 
     perform error-free in so vast a land.
       That it is an immensely difficult job--especially for a 
     nation whose legal system has come near the point of 
     ascribing the rights inherent in citizenship to aliens, legal 
     and illegal--does not mean failures are to be excused. It 
     means that they should be examined carefully, to try to 
     reduce future risks to American citizens and legal 
     immigrants.
       The point is that efforts to date to meet this unique 
     responsibility through the exclusive employment of agents of 
     the federal government have not created a risk-free 
     environment. Nor will adding airport screeners to the ranks 
     of civil servants.
       Competent people to help with that task, with better 
     equipment and more authority to challenge passengers, and 
     with extra direction from federal authorities, could do the 
     screening. It is useful to remember that it is far easier to 
     remove a poor performer from civilian ranks than from the 
     civil service. There should be bipartisan acknowledgment of 
     that fact.

     

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