Bill Nelson: “I rise in support of S. 165 the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act. This legislation is another important step toward…”

“I rise in support of S. 165 the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act. This legislation is another important step toward fully protecting the United States and all Americans from terrorists who intend to use our aviation system to commit future attacks. Among other provisions, including the creation of a security program to protect our air cargo from terrorist attacks, this bill mandates crucial studies on blast resistant cargo containers, the Transportation Security Administration's passenger screening program known as CAPPS II, and most importantly, how to defend our airliners from shoulder missile attacks similar to the attack last December on an Israeli charter jet in the skies over Kenya. We must continue to be vigilant in protecting our Nation. This legislation addresses a deep concern of mine regarding foreign citizens coming to the United States to receive pilot training on all sizes of aircraft. Unfortunately, we have seen what can happen when people come to our country with the specific intent to do us great harm. Many of the September 11 hijackers learned to fly the planes they used as deadly weapons at flight schools here in the United States.”