For Release: Thursday, September 13, 2001
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS TO INTRODUCE AIRLINE SAFETY MEASURES

Washington - Today, Congressmen Bill Lipinski (D-IL), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Jerry Costello (D-IL), and Mark Kirk (R-IL) members of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, announced that they plan to introduce legislation by the end of the month to significantly strengthen the safety of the nation's airline system. The bill would greatly expand the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Air Marshal Program, federalize the airport security screening system and limit all airline passengers to one carry-on bag.

"On the heels of the horrific terrorist attack of September 11th, the American people demand that we do all we can to prevent this and other terrorist attacks from happening in our airways again," said Lipinski, the Ranking Democrat on the Aviation Subcommittee. "While we are introducing this legislation in response to Tuesday's hijackings and acts of war, we have been working on all aspects of this legislation for months and years, fearful that our security system is not as good as it should be. Unfortunately, acts of terror have been committed beyond our worst nightmares, and we must act soon to help protect all Americans."

The Federal Air Marshal program is an expansion of the Sky Marshal program of the 1970s designed to stop hijackings to and from Cuba. The current program was created in 1985 following the TWA hijacking in Beirut. The plainclothes Air Marshals are armed with firearms and bullets that do not penetrate the hull of the plane, but can defend against hijackers. The legislation would significantly increase the number of Air Marshals, and would create deterrence with a substantial element of uncertainty.

"Airport screeners are overworked, underpaid, undertrained, and invariably work for the lowest-bidding private security firm," said DeFazio. "It's time we create a credible deterrent with a stable, well-trained federal law enforcement screening service."

The legislation would also federalize the airport screening system replacing the underpaid, under-trained screeners with trained security professionals. DeFazio has introduced legislation since the 100th Congress to improve the screening process. Furthermore, the Aviation Subcommittee has held Congressional Hearings and discussions regarding the federalization of the security screening process, which is currently directed by the nation's air carriers.

"Our number one priority must always be the safety of the citizens of the United States," said Costello. "We believe that these three measures represent a reasonable starting point to address renewed concerns about aviation security. These concepts have been developed over a period of years, and we look forward to working with the FAA and other agencies as we refine our legislation."

Finally, the bill would limit the amount of carry-on baggage, in order to reduce the burden on security screeners. A similar measure to limit carry-on luggage was introduced in the 106th Congress by Representative Lipinski.

"We suffered from a critical failure of our aviation security system," said Kirk. "These common-sense measures are needed to save the lives of Americans who fly on commercial aircraft."

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