For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, May 1, 2002

At a hearing on Homeland Defense, Senator Murray warned the Bush Administration that plans to conduct more invasive searches at airport checkpoints threaten personal dignity and could cause a drop in air travel.

Airport screeners will soon begin opening up the luggage of more than half of passengers, at three-quarters of the nation's airports. Murray warned that many passengers may choose not to fly if they will have their bags pored through by federal agents in full public view. (05/01/02)