[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 112 (Tuesday, July 12, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H4672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CUBAN AIRPORT SECURITY

  (Mr. KATKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my concerns about the 
Obama administration's plans to restore regular air service to Cuba.
  Just 2 weeks ago, I was scheduled to go on a congressional delegation 
to Cuba to examine the security measures at Cuba's 10 international 
airports to ensure the safety and security of Americans flying to Cuba. 
This trip was necessitated by stonewalling tactics used by 
administration officials when asked about security at Cuba's airports 
during a recent Transportation Security Subcommittee hearing.
  However, the Cuban Government denied my visa as well as visas of 
every single member of the delegation. Because of that, I have serious 
concerns, as do my colleagues, about the capabilities of Cuba's airport 
screening equipment and procedures, how Cuban airport workers are 
vetted, whether or not Federal air marshals will even be allowed to fly 
missions on American planes to and from Cuba, and many other questions.
  As the chairman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, I 
believe it is my duty to do everything in my power to secure the 
security of the traveling American public, and I take that seriously. 
That is why I have introduced H.R. 5728, legislation to stop the 
administration from moving forward with flights to Cuba until these 
security concerns are adequately addressed. I hope my colleagues will 
join me in supporting this important piece of legislation.

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