For Release: October 12, 2001
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

Costello, Democrats Introduce Aviation Security Bill

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello today with other House Democrats on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced an aviation security proposal and urged its immediate consideration by the full House of Representatives. Costello is the senior Democrat on the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee and was one of the primary authors of the legislation.

"By enacting this legislation we will begin the process of securing our nation's airports and our aviation system," said Costello. " The American people want action on this issue and they want it now."

Costello and others on the subcommittee introduced the Transportation Security Act of 2001. The bill would transfer the responsibility for security at our nation's airports and our aviation system from the airlines to the federal government.

The bill would create a transportation security administration, an inter-modal security administration within the Department of Transportation, headed by an undersecretary of transportation to be appointed by the President for a five year term. In addition, the bill would federalize and put professional federal law enforcement personnel in charge of security at our airports within one year, enhance and make permanent the federal air marshal program, and provide for other important security measures.

"We can no longer rely on the airlines to provide security at our nations' airports and to protect the flying public," stated Costello. Costello noted, "Professional federal employees protect the President of the United States, Cabinet members, Members of Congress and serve in our military both at home and abroad. Federal law enforcement personnel employed by the federal government should be protecting our airports and the flying public."

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