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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOVEMBER 27, 2001 Baca Responds to Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta's Statement Today that His Agency would have Trouble Meeting the Congressionally-imposed Deadline for Screening all Checked Baggage for Bombs within 60 Days. Washington, D.C. - "I am compelled to say again today what I have been saying for months now - we must check all bags that are being put on our planes. And we must check them as soon as possible. Sixty days is the time frame we agreed upon in the bill, but if it were up to me, we would screen all bags for bombs immediately. Now that the 60-day time frame is the law of the land, we must do everything humanly possible to comply with it and maximize the safety of every pilot, passenger, and flight attendant. "The Secretary should use all resources available to begin checking every bag as soon as humanly possible. I call on Secretary Mineta to use the language in the airport security bill which suggests that National Guard be used to check bags immediately or at least within the 60 days specified in the bill. "The American people can't wait another few months before we begin screening all checked baggage for bombs. Air travelers demand and deserve protection now. I hope and expect that the Transportation Department will use any and all resources to come into compliance with the airport security bill's deadline. America has the tools to get the job done, and now we must continue to have the will to put these measures in place and strengthen airline security for every American," said Congressman Baca. # # # |
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