John Ensign: “I thank Chairman Cochran and Senator Byrd and their staffs for working with me to draft the Ensign-Bond amendment, which…”

“I thank Chairman Cochran and Senator Byrd and their staffs for working with me to draft the Ensign-Bond amendment, which has 20 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. This amendment addresses a shortfall in the Transportation Security Administration's budget for our airports' in-line baggage screening systems, or Explosive Detection Systems, for all checked baggage. My amendment adds $75 million to the TSA's budget request of $250 million, for a total of $325 million. It is fully offset through a reduction in TSA's airport information technology and support. TSA has asked for a $154 million increase in airport information technology, so we will still be giving them half of that increase. Still, even with this offset, this technology account is left with $218 million, and the reduction will not damage TSA's mission. The reason I am offering this amendment is clear: One of the major threats of terrorism we face today is crowded airport lobbies.”