Addressing Vulnerabilities in Aviation Security

ADDRESSING VULNERABILITIES IN AVIATION SECURITY -- (House of Representatives - December 11, 2007)

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1413.

H.R. 1413 was introduced by Representatives Lowey and Brown-Waite to establish a pilot program to test the viability of physically screening airport workers at seven (7) airports. I am pleased to report that this bipartisan bill, as amended in Committee, not only requires TSA to test physical screening but also alternative forms of screening, including: biometrics, behavior recognition, and canine teams.

Consideration of H.R. 1413 is timely in light of the October 2007 arrest of 10 airline employees for operating a drug smuggling ring at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The ring leader allegedly directed JFK airport employees from inside the airport on how to move heroin and cocaine into so-called ``safe areas'' of the airport.

Mr. Speaker, most people that work in our nation's airports are hardworking, trustworthy people who pose no threat to the traveling public. However, in a post-9/11 world, we have to address the risk of an ``inside job''--where an attack is planned and executed by an airport worker who exploits security gaps. H.R. 1413 does just that.

H.R. 1413 does so in a manner that strives to assure that that people that keep the planes flying are able to do their job. Specifically, H.R. 1413 creates a 180-day pilot program where all the people that access the terminal and the airplanes, not just the American Flying Public, are screened.

To those who think this can't be done, I'm here to tell you ``it can be done.'' They do it at London's Heathrow airport. They do it at DeGaulle Airport in Paris. I understand that there are those who don't want us to look at this approach. But in a post-9/11 world, failing to do so is just plain wrong.

Under the leadership of Subcommittee Chairwoman Jackson-Lee, H.R. 1413 was agreed to ``as amended,'' on April 24th by voice vote. The full committee considered, voted and reported favorably on August 1. I strongly urge passage of this bill that takes a reasonable approach to exploring how to better secure our airports, airplanes and travelers.

Mrs. Lowey and Ms. Brown-Waite are to be commended for their leadership on this critical legislation. I look forward to continuing to work with the bills sponsors and other interested parties to ensure that TSA structures the pilot in a manner that provides Congress with the best guidance on how to address this gap in security. I strongly urge passage on this important homeland security measure.

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