[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 21406]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 OVERHAULING THE AVIATION SECURITY BILL

  (Mr. DeFAZIO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, it has been 7 weeks and 2 days since the 
terrorist attacks, 2 weeks since the Senate passed the aviation 
security bill 100 to 0. Finally, we can overhaul this failed system. 
There are three private foreign-owned firms that provide security at 
most U.S. airports. Their performance is miserable. One is under 
indictment for having violated its parole from its last criminal 
conviction.
  Now we are going to have a choice today. We could pass the Senate 
bill and have a bill on the President's desk tonight and begin an 
overhaul, a major change, put those people out of business, or we can 
adopt the Republican manager's amendments, which will not only continue 
these failed private firms and convicted felons in business, it will 
reward them amazingly with an exemption from liability for past 
actions.
  Yesterday was Halloween, but today the Republican leaders are trying 
one last trick and treat on the American public. Reject the private 
firms that have failed us so miserably. Put Federal law enforcement in 
the airports and make the traveling public safe.

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