Next Generation Explosive Technologies Needed to Protect Our Nation's Aviation System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement regarding today’s thwarted terror attack in London:
“Our nation’s aviation system remains an attractive target to Al Qaeda and their affiliates. I applaud the Department’s openness with the American public in quickly informing them of this critical situation. In addition, TSA’s ability to immediately make the necessary temporary changes to their screening process to ensure the safety of the flying public is commendable. Americans can live with delays and extra checks when they know it means that they’ll be safer.
“These types of changes to screening show both a major strength of the federalized aviation security system— that it is nimble enough to make nation-wide processes and prohibited items within hours – and a major limitation— the lack of technology to ensure that liquid explosives can be detected. One of the principle aviation recommendations of the 9/11 Commission was to improve security screening to detect explosives at the checkpoint. In order to prevent future disruptions to our aviation system, this Administration needs to move expeditiously to develop and install next generation explosive detection technologies with the ability to detect lethal materials like those involved in the British plot.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Todd Levett at (202) 226-2616.
