Hal Rogers: “Overall, this is a good bill. By establishing a demonstration program of limited duration and strict standards, we will…”

“Overall, this is a good bill. By establishing a demonstration program of limited duration and strict standards, we will be able to assess the benefits and risks of arming commercial airline pilots. The bill does not require pilots to carry guns but gives them the option up to a certain percentage and subject to training. They will be literally the last line of defense for our commercial aviation system. The terrorist attacks of September 11 demonstrated that this is something that should at least be evaluated in a systematic and limited manner. However, I want to draw to the Members' attention one element of the bill that I hope will be addressed in conference with the other body. Section 2 of the bill requires that all costs for the training, supervision, and equipment, meaning guns, under this program shall be borne by the Federal Government. These costs have been estimated by the Congressional Budget Office at $47 million over the next 5 years. These funds are not currently in the Transportation Security Administration's budget and could well cause the agency to cancel or defer other critical security activities to finance what is essentially an earmark on future budgets.”