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ROCKEFELLER SAYS TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT (DOT) BAG CHECKING APPROACH FALLS SHORT
Aviation Subcommittee Chairman to Hold Hearing on DOT's Plan to "Check Every Bag"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) expressed concern today that the Department of Transportation’s plan to screen baggage on passenger airplanes may fall short of what the law intended. Rockefeller said that he was pleased that the Department of Transportation rose to the challenge and put forth a plan by the January 18 deadline, however he expressed concern that the plan may not be as thorough as The Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001 had outlined.

As a result, Rockefeller intends to hold a hearing next week when Congress reconvenes to allow DOT to outline their approach and update the Committee on its efforts.

"Checking every bag that goes on to our nation's airplanes is a great milestone in our efforts to improve aviation security. Unfortunately, I believe that the Department of Transportation's approach of matching the baggage of boarding passengers only – and not connecting passengers – may not be as thorough as the legislation intended," Rockefeller said.

"Next week I plan on holding a Senate hearing that will allow DOT to explain their approach and update the Committee on their efforts to implement the remainder of the law."

Rockefeller is Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation.

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