*EPF103 11/19/2001
Transcript: Bush Signs Aviation Security Bill into Law
(Puts government in charge of airport security) (1310)

President Bush November 19 signed into law an aviation security bill that puts the federal government in charge of airport security.

It turns over luggage screening at U.S. airports from private companies to some 28,000 federal screeners within a year with the exception of five facilities that will take part in a pilot program testing alternatives.

"For our airways there is one supreme priority, security," Bush said in a signing ceremony at Reagan National Airport that was attended by members of Congress, airline industry officials, pilots and flight attendants.

"For the first time, airport security will become a direct federal responsibility," the President said.

The legislation passed both houses of Congress November 16 after weeks of political wrangling. It passed in the House by an overwhelming 409-9 margin and by unanimous consent in the Senate.

Under the compromise legislation, airports may, after three years, seek permission from the government to return to a private system of monitoring.

The legislation also requires screeners to be U.S. citizens who are proficient in English and have no criminal record. Under the measure, firing screeners, who are prohibited from striking, will be easier than laying off other federal employees.

The bill establishes a new transportation security agency within the Department of Transportation that will be responsible for setting screening standards, training, testing and supervising screeners and performing background checks on screeners and other people with access to secure areas of airports.

It also requires airports to expand inspections of checked baggage, and explosive detection systems are to be in place by the end of next year. The Transportation Department may authorize pilots to have weapons in the cockpit of their planes.

Final passage of the measure was delayed for weeks in a partisan struggle over the status of baggage screeners. The Senate voted 100-0 for legislation putting them on the federal payrolls, but House Republicans wanted that responsibility to be left with private companies.

Bush voiced support for the House alternative, but also signaled his willingness to sign any bill Congress sent him.

In his remarks at National Airport, Bush noted the differences of opinion, but said passage of the measure was a fresh sign of the nation's unity after the terrorist attacks.

"Security comes first," he said. "The federal government will set high standards. And we will enforce them."

Congress began work on the measure not long after the September 11 suicide hijackings that killed thousands in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

Following is the White House transcript:

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

November 19, 2001

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT SIGNING OF AVIATION SECURITY LEGISLATION

Ronald Reagan National Airport Washington, D.C.

10:53 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Today, we take permanent and aggressive steps to improve the security of our airways. The events of September the 11th were a call to action. And the Congress has now responded.

The law I will sign should give all Americans greater confidence when they fly. All members of Congress care deeply about this issue. Despite divergent views, the Congress worked closely with my administration to develop a bipartisan conclusion that will help protect American air travelers.

I want to thank the House and Senate leadership for their patience in this issue. I want to thank the Speaker and the Minority Leader; the Leader of the Senate, Senator Lott; for working hard to make sure this bill came to fruition.

I also want to thank Chairman Don Young and John Mica and Jim Oberstar who have joined us today from the House. I want to thank you for your hard work. And I want to thank members of the United States Senate: Chairman Hollings and John McCain and Kay Bailey Hutchison for their hard work.

I appreciate so very much the Secretary of Transportation and his steadiness and his ability to bring confidence to the process. I picked a good man in Norm Mineta, who is rising to the occasion.

I also want to thank his deputy, Michael Jackson, for his hard work. As well, I appreciate Jane Garvey joining us up here today. I see other members of Congress who are here. Thank you all for coming. I appreciate you doing the right thing for America.

I also want to thank the pilots and flight attendants and the people of the airline industry who have joined us today. I want to thank you for your courage in the face of terror. I want to thank you for inspiring confidence amongst the American people.

The broad support for this bill shows that our country is united in this crisis. We have our political differences, but we're united to defend our country. And we're united to protect our people. For our airways, there is one supreme priority: Security.

Since September the 11th, the federal government has taken action to raise safety standards. We've made funds available to the aviation industry to fortify cockpits. More federal air marshals now ride on our airplanes. The Department of Transportation instituted a zero-tolerance crackdown on security breaches.

Our National Guard protects us in our airports. And I want to thank the National Guard's men and women who will be working the holiday season. I want to thank them for being away from their families, thank them for providing more security for people who travel.

I appreciate the work the airlines have done with the Federal Aviation Administration. The airlines have started intense nighttime security sweeps of aircraft. They've tightened background checks for employees and implemented non-discriminatory government-approved criterion for identifying passengers who require additional security.

Now, we take the next important step. For the first time, airport security will become a direct federal responsibility. Overseen by a new Under Secretary of Transportation for Security. Additional funds will be provided for federal air marshals. And a new team of federal security managers, supervisors, law enforcement officers and screeners will ensure all passengers and carry-on bags are inspected thoroughly and effectively. The new security force will be well-trained, made up of U.S. citizens. And if any of its members do not perform, the new Under Secretary will have full authority to discipline or remove them.

At the same time, we will adopt strict new requirements to screen checked baggage, to tighten security in all other areas of airports, and to provide greater security for travelers by bus and by train. This bill sets a one-year deadline for the transition to the new system. It gives my administration the flexibility we need to make that transition work.

Ultimately, this bill offers local authorities the option to bring in outside experts, a method that's worked well in Israel and Western Europe, provided those outside experts can meet our rigorous new safety standards and requirements.

Security comes first. The federal government will set high standards, and we will enforce them. These have been difficult days for Americans who fly and for American aviation. A proud industry has been hit hard. But this nation has seen the dedication and spirit of our pilots and flight crews, and the hundreds of thousands of hard-working people who keep America flying. We know they will endure. I'm confident this industry will grow and prosper.

The holidays will soon be here. Even after the last few months, we have much to be thankful for. We have a great country. We're a great people. We have our faith, our families, and our friends. And, thanks to this bill, we have a new commitment to security in the air. And that's good news, as Americans travel to celebrate this season with their loved ones.

It is now my honor to sign this important piece of legislation. (Applause.) (The bill is signed.) (Applause.)

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents