Lowey Introduces Legislation to Secure America’s Airports
Bill Would Require Full Screening of Airport Workers, Closing Gaping Security Hole
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) today introduced legislation to close a gaping hole in airport security. Her bill, which is cosponsored by Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), would create a pilot program to require the physical screening of all workers at five airports, including two defined as “hub” airports. The legislation would mandate that airports screen all workers with access to secure and sterile areas under the same standards that apply to passengers.
In 2001, Congress recognized this flaw in security and passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, requiring that the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) implement full worker screening. More than five years later, TSA has failed to implement this basic policy or even set a deadline for doing so.
“It’s unfathomable that more than five years after September 11th, a measure as fundamental and simple as this one still has not been implemented,” said Lowey, who serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security. “Meticulously screening passengers but giving workers open access is like installing an expensive home security system but leaving your back door wide open.”
“In order to better secure our skies, we put our baggage, cargo, passengers and pilots through rigorous inspection,” said Thompson. “However, many airport employees are currently free to roam wherever they want, even in ‘sterile’ areas without prior screening. This poses a serious security gap that could be exploited for the purposes of carrying out criminal activity, or even a terrorist attack on our nation. With the creation of this pilot program all employees with access to secure areas will be screened, this is critical first step in addressing this vulnerability.”
Lowey’s bill requires standards that are already in place at airports in other countries. At London’s Heathrow Airport, the busiest international airport in the world, 100 percent of workers are screened.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Todd Levett at (202) 225-9978.
