Mike Honda: “Mr. Chairman, some Republicans falsely claim that the Ganske-Oberstar bill lacks substantive aviation security…”

“Mr. Chairman, some Republicans falsely claim that the Ganske-Oberstar bill lacks substantive aviation security technology provisions. They are wrong. The Ganske-Oberstar bill has an entire title dedicated to improving aviation security technology. This title calls on rapidly deploying and fully utilizing viable security technologies. The title calls upon the FAA to implement technology-driven changes to our aviation security system in the short term, including the plan to deploy security-enhancing technologies such as biometrics, database integration, smart cards, and other promising new applications that are available even right now. The Ganske-Oberstar bill looks to the long-term as well, calling for new and substantial investments into FAA's R&D program. The bill doubles the budget for the FAA's Technology Center and increases spending on accelerated research and deployment of technologies for detection of non-metallic weapons and cargo screening. Let us make sure that our aviation security policy is backed up by balanced, bipartisan thinking, not posturing and rhetoric. Support the Ganske-Oberstar bill.”