[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 20, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

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                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2017

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last year Al-Qaeda nearly downed an 
airliner in Somalia using an explosive disguised as a laptop. This bomb 
got past X-ray machines and blew a gaping hole in the aircraft.
  Al-Qaeda has been working for years to create sophisticated 
explosives that can target airplanes. It came as no surprise that last 
week the Department of Homeland Security announced new security 
restrictions on electronics on board certain U.S.-bound flights.
  These new restrictions are deadly serious. Al-Qaeda has units 
deployed in places like Syria, Pakistan, and Turkey that are dedicated 
to planning attacks against the West.
  The hysteria around this announcement is purely political. Everyone 
should be concerned about the growing threat from al-Qaeda. We must not 
allow politics to divide us in the face of a mortal enemy seeking to 
kill and injure as many Americans as possible.
  I commend the Department of Homeland Security for responding to 
crucial intelligence and taking this step to protect the American 
people. And that's just the way it is.

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