[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCING A BILL TO ENHANCE THE SECURITY OF THE U.S. PASSENGER AIR 
                         TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2005

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday Congressman Oberstar, 
Congressman DeFazio and I have introduced a bill to enhance the 
security of the U.S. passenger air transportation system--The Airport 
Screener Technology Improvement Act of 2005. We are currently 
collecting over $1.5 billion a year from the passenger security fee for 
aviation security services. Our bill will put this fee into two funds 
that will guarantee that TSA will spend the authorized amounts of $650 
million a year and $250 million for the installation of in-line baggage 
screening systems and passenger checkpoint explosive detection, 
respectively.
  Mr. Speaker, last week the Department of Homeland Security Inspector 
General (DHS IG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) both 
released reports that indicate that our airport screening system still 
needs improvement. While the traveling public is more secure today than 
before September 11th, 2001, airport screeners are not detecting 
prohibited items at the level we need.
  Mr. Speaker, this Congress has arbitrarily capped the number of 
airport screeners at 45,000, and has provided neither the resources nor 
the technology for the screeners to get the job done. Without a 
significant investment and commitment by Congress and this 
Administration to upgrade our technology, our screening system will 
continue to fail. We must and can do better!
  Last year, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the 
United States (``the 
9/11 Commission'') specifically recommended that the TSA and the 
Congress improve the ability of screenings checkpoints to detect 
explosives on passengers. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism 
Prevention Act (P.L. 108-458) authorized $250 million for the research 
and deployment of advanced passenger screening technologies, such as 
trace portals and backscatter x-ray systems. To date, only about $30 
million has been appropriated specifically for the general deployment 
of these types of technologies.
  The 9/11 Commission also recommended that the TSA ``expedite the 
installation of advanced (in-line) baggage screening equipment.'' The 
Chairman of the 9/11 Commission testified before Congress that the 
Commission supports moving explosives units out of airport lobbies and 
into a secured area which will allow for movement of bags from the 
check-in counter to the loading area in a seamless, in-line process, 
promoting greater security and efficiency.

  In addition to these benefits, in-line baggage screening systems have 
a much higher throughput than stand-alone systems. If we install in-
line systems, more bags will be screened by explosive detection systems 
instead of less reliable, alternative methods.
  The TSA and airport operators rely on commitments in letters of 
intent (LOIs) as their principal method for funding the modification of 
airport facilities to incorporate in-line baggage screening systems. 
The TSA has issued eight LOIs to cover the costs of installing systems 
at nine airports for a total cost to the federal government of $957.1 
million over four years. The GAO reports that TSA has estimated that 
in-line baggage screening systems at the nine airports that received 
LOI funding could save the federal government $1.3 billion over seven 
years. TSA further estimated that it could recover its initial 
investment in the in-line systems at these airports in a little over 
one year.
  In total, the GAO reports that 86 of 130 airports surveyed are 
planning or are considering installing in-line baggage screening 
systems throughout or at a portion of their airports. Yet, the TSA has 
stated that it currently does not have sufficient resources in its 
budget to fund any additional LOIs. While $650 million is authorized 
for the installation of in-line baggage screening systems, annual 
appropriations have not allowed for any new LOIs to be signed.
  Mr. Speaker, the recommendations, findings and statements of the 9/11 
Commission, the DHS IG, GAO and TSA all indicate that we need better 
technology to improve security at our airports. We have been put on 
notice, and we must take action now. We must demonstrate leadership and 
deploy technologies that will keep the American public safe and secure. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in working to pass this important 
legislation.

                          ____________________