Christopher Shays: “the bottom line is a plane could be blown out of the sky from explosives in the belly of an aircraft because someone…”

“the bottom line is a plane could be blown out of the sky from explosives in the belly of an aircraft because someone shipping cargo is simply able to get it on the airplane. We have learned from the terrorists there is no line they will not cross. I hope this amendment is passed; and then if we have to change the amendment, we can do that in conference. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment, which will require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop a plan to screen or inspect all cargo that is carried on passenger planes. Since September 11, our nation's homeland defenses have undergone tremendous improvements. I truly believe we are safer today than we were prior to these heinous attacks, but we don't feel safer because we had a false sense of security that was cruelly lifted. In 2001, when Congress was considering the Aviation Security Act, I was shocked to learn that less than 10 percent of checked baggage on domestic flights was being screened. I worked with Congressman Jay Inslee to add a provision to the bill requiring all checked baggage to be screened for explosives. During a recent hearing of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, I was equally surprised to learn that air, which accounts for approximately 22 percent of all baggage on passenger flights, is not being screened for explosives.”