U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.S. Rep. Don Young, Chairman

Contact:  Steve Hansen (Director of Communications)  (202) 225-7749
 Email: Steve.Hansen@mail.house.gov
     Justin Harclerode (Deputy Director of Communications)  (202) 226-8767
  Email: Justin.Harclerod@mail.house.gov

To:  National Desk/Transportation Reporter
July 10, 2002

U.S. House Overwhelmingly Approves Legislation Allowing Airline Pilots To Be Armed To Combat Terrorist Attacks;
Bipartisan Amendment Expands Bill To Include All Qualified Pilots

        Washington, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation that will allow for all trained and qualified pilots to carry firearms to combat terrorist attacks aboard commercial aircraft.

        The amended legislation was approved by a 310 to 113 vote with 206 Republicans, 102 Democrats, and two Independents voting in favor of final passage.  Eleven Republicans and 102 Democrats voted against passage of the bill.

        The legislation (H.R. 4635) was introduced by U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the Chairman of the Transportation Committee, and U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-FL), the Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee - the two sponsors of the House-passed aviation security legislation last year.

Bipartisan Amendment Expands Program To 100 Percent Of Airline Pilots

        A bipartisan amendment offered by U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), John Thune (R-SD), George Nethercutt (R-WA) and Joe Barton (R-TX) significantly increased the number of pilots that will allowed to volunteer for screening and training for the program.  The DeFazio amendment will allow all commercial airline pilots - about 70,000 - that want to undergo background checks, screening and training  to be eligible under the legislation.

        The original legislation that was brought to the House floor would have established a two-year test program that would allowed up to two percent of the pilots - about 1,400 - to participate in the program.

“We Need To Expand Aviation Security To Include Arming Trained & Qualified Pilots”

        “It’s been eight months since we passed the aviation security bill,” said Transportation Committee Chairman Young.  “When fully implemented, the numerous provisions we created will indeed improve aviation security.

        “But over the past several months, we’ve seen the need to expand our security bill to include arming trained and qualified pilots.

        “On September 11th, eight unarmed pilots, hundreds of passengers, and thousands of innocent people were killed by terrorist hijackers.  Today, armed F-16s are prepared to make sure that this never happens again.

        “I strongly believe that under these new circumstances, that we must allow trained and qualified pilots to serve as the last line of defense against such a potential disaster.”

Chairman Mica Calls On Senate To Act Quickly On Legislation

        “Today, we took a critical step towards preventing future terrorist attacks similar to what happened on September 11th,” said Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Mica.  “I urge the Senate to move quickly on this vital aviation security issue.

        “America’s airline pilots know best that they can both control their aircraft and defend their cockpits when necessary.  They have asked for the ability to defend themselves and their passengers.  Today, the House acted on this measure.  The Senate should do the same.”

Major Provisions Of The Legislation

 
Arming Trained & Qualified Pilots Training Law Enforcement Officers To Assist Air Marshals Training Flight Attendants
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