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ROCKEFELLER: IMPROVING AIRPORT SECURITY CAN’T WAIT
Senator Calls on House to Pass Legislation Approved by Senate 100-0

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, the United States Senate voted unanimously to require sweeping changes in federal aviation security standards. Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Aviation subcommittee, said that the legislation will drastically improve our nation’s airport safety while also restoring consumer confidence. Rockefeller, who sponsored the aviation security measures, and who has been a leading force in the Senate to ensure passage, called on the House of Representatives to quickly pass similar legislation.

"It became crystal clear to all of America after the terrorist attacks on September 11^th that we need to change and vastly improve our nation’s aviation security. In the hours immediately following the attacks, the President, the Department of Transportation, and the FAA undertook a series of strong actions to increase security at our airports and on board our airlines, but it is not enough," Rockefeller said. "Passing this legislation is the next critical step to ensure long-term safety of the traveling public and restore American’s confidence in flying."

Among other things, the bill requires stronger cockpit doors and locks, federalized airport security operations, hijack training for flight crew, background checks on students at flight schools, and an increase in the number of federal Air Marshalls.

"First and foremost, the aviation security bill restores the basic responsibility for security to its rightful place – with federal law enforcement, rather than with the airlines, airports, and private security companies. In no other major segment of American life do we leave national security to the private sector, and we’re no longer going to do it in the aviation industry. This is about protecting American lives." Rockefeller added.

In an effort to strengthen and clarify the legislation, Rockefeller introduced three successful amendments. They included: 1) requiring that all supplies, including catering and cleaning, must be screened; 2) clarifying that everything that enters an airplane must pass though security screening, including passengers, checked baggage, carry-ons, cargo, mail, etc.; and 3) requiring that the anti-hijack training for pilots and flight attendants is performed by law enforcement personnel with expertise in terrorism.

Senator Rockefeller, although pleased by the Senate passage of the aviation security bill, expressed regret that the legislation did not include relief for thousands of aviation workers who have lost their jobs as a result of the terrorist attacks. Rockefeller was a cosponsor of legislation that would have provided health insurance, job training, and unemployment benefits to displaced aviation workers.

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