[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 158 (Thursday, November 15, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H8231-H8232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HISTORIC COMPROMISE ON AVIATION SECURITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, today is a glorious day for us. 
It is a glorious day for the American people because today we have 
reached a historic compromise and have finally addressed aviation 
security, a full 8 weeks after the tragic events of September 11.
  We now have a victory for the American people, the flying public, and 
the flight crews that will be traveling during this upcoming holiday 
season. We will be scrapping a system that is broken.
  Today, public safety is threatened by an unprecedented event: War has 
been declared on the American people by Osama bin Laden and his 
terrorist network. The Federal Government must protect our country 
during these times of peril.
  Security at the Nation's airports is no longer a private-sector 
matter; it is in fact part of the front line of our Nation's defense. 
Congress needs to treat this as a question of national security by 
putting in place an effective Federal law enforcement system.
  Mr. Speaker, America is experiencing a crisis of confidence in its 
aviation system. The status quo of private security firms in no way 
will provide the aviation security necessary to protect the traveling 
public. Simply put, the private contractors who currently have the 
responsibility for screening passengers and baggage failed on September 
11, and for that matter, they have failed for the past three decades.
  The private contractors entrusted with overseeing security for our 
aviation system are the same companies who pay very low wages, have a 
turnover of over 400 percent, and have failed to detect dangerous 
objects that were recently revealed by the GAO and the Department of 
Transportation during their testing.

                              {time}  1745

  In fact, 68 percent of the teams sent by the DOT Inspector General 
repeatedly found a breach of security.

[[Page H8232]]

  Argenbright, one of the companies currently entrusted with security 
at our Nation's airports, was fined a million dollars and placed on 36 
months probation. This company failed to conduct required background 
checks, hired convicted felons, and improperly trained workers which 
provided security at U.S. airports. Their probation was extended on 
October 23 for failure to comply with a previous court order. This is 
the same company that was responsible for the recent security breach at 
Chicago O'Hare.
  This issue does not revolve just around Argenbright. In the last 5 
years, FAA successfully prosecuted over 1,776 cases for screening 
violations which amounts to more than a violation a day. These cases 
resulted in $8.1 million in civil penalties against air carriers for 
screening violations by screening companies.
  Are these the kind of companies, Mr. Speaker, that we want to ensure 
our aviation security when millions of our fellow Americans and even 
us, who travel twice a week and will be traveling during this upcoming 
holiday day season, need? Absolutely not.
  Thankfully, under the compromise reached by the conferees and the 
administration, all airports will have federalized screeners. In 
addition, this compromise will allow for a significant increase in the 
air marshal program. It will require screening for all checked baggage 
within 2 years, and it will require background checks for all airport 
personnel and aircraft crews.
  The Congress owes a duty to the American public to ensure the 
strongest level of security possible at our Nation's airports. As the 
senior member serving on aviation from California, I am very pleased to 
be able to come today to let the American people know that Congress has 
responded to their requests.
  Removing the profit motive from airport security and establishing a 
Federal law enforcement work force will provide the necessary security 
and restore the traveling public's confidence.
  Mr. Speaker, we are all the better off.

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