[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 43 (Monday, October 29, 2001)]
[Pages 1549-1550]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the Proposed 
``Secure Transportation for America Act''

October 25, 2001

Dear Mr. Speaker:

    The quickest, most effective way to increase aviation security is to 
pass H.R. 3150, the Secure Transportation for America Act.

[[Page 1550]]

Time is of the essence. I urge your support for H.R. 3150. Making 
American air travel as safe and secure as possible is one of our 
Nation's top priorities. Last month, I proposed dramatic changes to our 
aviation security system: full Federal control of airport security and 
screening services; major expansion of the Federal Air Marshal program; 
and substantial new funding for aircraft security modifications. H.R. 
3150 would accomplish these important initiatives and improve security 
quickly and effectively.
    Both my proposal and H.R. 3150 give the Federal Government immediate 
and comprehensive control of aviation security. A new Transportation 
Security Agency, housed at the Department of Transportation, will hire 
Federal employees to supervise, manage, and train all passenger and 
baggage screeners. The new Security Agency would also establish and 
enforce new qualification standards for screeners, perform background 
checks on all screeners and other persons with access to secure areas at 
airports, and provide a uniformed Federal law enforcement presence at 
commercial airports.
    Significantly, H.R. 3150 leaves the Federal Government the 
flexibility to build the best workforce to perform the actual screening 
function--another key element of my proposal. This model of Federal 
control plus flexibility mirrors the well-regarded airline security 
systems in place in many European countries, which involve public/
private partnerships. Many adopted this model of strong government 
oversight over high-quality private security companies after finding 
other models of airline security to be less effective.
    Other legislative proposals would mandate that all passenger and 
baggage screeners must be Federal workers in all circumstances. Such an 
inflexible, one-size-fits-all requirement fails to permit security 
tailored to the very different circumstances that exist at airports 
across the country. I am pleased that Chairman Young and the co-sponsors 
of H.R. 3150 have chosen not to limit the Administration's options in 
choosing the strongest possible means to protect Americans who travel by 
air. Giving the Government the flexibility to use private contractors 
will facilitate transition to the new system, promote better screening 
services through competition, and ensure that security managers can move 
swiftly to discipline or remove employees who fail to live up to the 
rigorous new standards.
    The American people deserve a quick and smooth transition to a 
better aviation security system. I urge the House to pass H.R. 3150 as 
soon as possible; and my Administration looks forward to continuing to 
work with the Congress on any refinements that may be necessary to 
ensure that the Nation's aviation security needs are addressed in the 
most effective manner possible.
     Sincerely,
                                                George W. Bush