July 10, 2002 Hoekstra comments on arming pilots Congressman Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, issued the following statement after the House voted on H.R. 4635, the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act: "While the public and Congress will pay any cost to achieve air safety, it is questionable that this program will make our skies any safer than the programs we have already instituted and the public is already paying for. "Under this bill, taxpayers are forced to pay the massive cost to train and equip all airline pilots. Originally, this program was to be a test project, involving a limited number of pilots, with a review to determine effectiveness. As passed by the House, it is now a full, bureaucratic program with no future analysis of effectiveness. To implement this program will cost the Transportation Security Agency millions, and that cost will be passed-on in higher taxes and fees for the flying public. "I also do not believe Congress should dictate to airlines, or any business, their personnel policies regarding employees carrying firearms. This type of decision is best made between employers and employees, who are in the proper position to determine the necessity and assume the liability. "And though I believe a pilot's attention is best focused on flying the plane, and getting it to safety in the event of trouble, if the pilot's association and airlines want to arm pilots, it should be their choice. And they should pay the cost for training, weapons purchases and the liability that goes along with it. "Because this bill sticks taxpayers with higher costs and questionable returns, I could not support it."
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