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WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) today claimed victory on behalf of the flying public when he announced that the final compromise aviation security legislation will make passenger and baggage screening at our airports a federal law enforcement function. The legislation approved today by the House-Senate conference committee will require numerous new security features including full federal law enforcement at all airports, expansion of the Federal Air Marshall program, and screening of all passengers, baggage and employees.

"This bill will revolutionize security at our airports and in our skies. Every person and every bag, at every airport -- big and small-- will be screened by federal law enforcement personnel, no exceptions," Rockefeller said. "The traveling public want and deserve safe and secure airports and airplanes, and this legislation gives them the confidence they need to keep flying."

Rockefeller continued, "As we learned after the attacks on September 11^th, we can no longer ignore the security needs at our nation’s airports. We can no longer allow the lives of our citizens to be placed into the hands of private companies. Airport security is no longer just a transportation issue, it is a national security concern and the federal government will now take on this critical responsibility."

Additionally, the bill requires dramatic security increases in and around airplanes. This includes the securing of all cockpit doors; screening of everything that is put on an airplane (beverages, food, mail, etc.); background checks of every employee that services the flight, including catering company workers; and, anti-hijack training for pilots and flight attendants.

Rockefeller is Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation and played a pivotal role in authoring the compromise legislation.

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