[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 23152]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 23152]]

               BAGS IN BELLY OF AIRPLANE MUST BE SCREENED

  (Mr. INSLEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, on November 18 the President signed a law 
promising the American people that every bag that goes into the belly 
of the airplanes will be checked for explosives, a promise that was 
long overdue. It is within certain time limits imposed by the U.S. 
Congress and signed into law by the President. Therefore, it is most 
disturbing that the administration has now told us, 9 days later, that 
they cannot meet the deadline set forth in law just 9 days ago.
  Mr. Speaker, this is very disappointing because the word ``cannot'' 
is not in the American lexicon. In a Nation that sent people to the 
Moon and whose Armed Forces are doing such an exemplary job in 
Afghanistan, we cannot say we cannot solve this problem.
  If there are not enough people to do the job, hire them. Get the 
National Guard to do the job, and come to Congress and tell what us 
what is needed to get this job done because we will stand with the 
administration and make sure that it gets done. The American people 
deserve it.

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