Daniel Inouye: “Senators Hollings and McCain have done an outstanding job of bringing this important legislation to a final conclusion.…”

“Senators Hollings and McCain have done an outstanding job of bringing this important legislation to a final conclusion. Hopefully, this measure will help fully restore consumer confidence in air travel and prevent any future use of airplanes as weapons of mass destruction. This measure includes critical provisions to ensure cockpit security. In addition to the specific measures identified, this measure also authorizes the Federal Aviation Administration to take additional action as may be necessary to ensure the safety and security of the aircraft. One additional safety concern that I wish to raise relates to potential threats caused by smoke in the aircraft, including smoke resulting from small incendiary devices which could affect the cockpit crew's ability to see and operate essential instruments to safely control and land airplanes. I would like to take this opportunity to ask Chairman Hollings whether the language in section 104(a)(1)(B) will authorize the FAA Administrator to consider whether safety and security procedures may be necessary to ensure the integrity of the flight deck during smoke emergencies.”