Bill Nelson: “I rise to give my comments on an act that we passed yesterday. It is the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act. I think it…”

“I rise to give my comments on an act that we passed yesterday. It is the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act. I think it is worth noting some of the particulars of this legislation which passed the Senate last night because it 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. While there are a bunch of provisions in this bill, it includes the creation of a security program to protect our air cargo from terrorist attacks. This bill mandates crucial studies on blast-resistant cargo containers. It also provides for TSA, the Transportation Security Administration, passenger screening. That is known as CAPPS II. It also provides how to defend our airliners from shoulder-fired missile attacks. That is a shoulder-mounted, heat-seeking missile, similar to that used in the attack of last December on an Israeli charter jet in the skies over Kenya. This legislation is clearly in the interest of the United States and in the interest of freedom-loving people around the world. It also addresses a deep concern of mine regarding foreign citizens coming to the United States to receive pilot training on all sizes of aircraft.”