Jim Ramstad: “Ground zero is still burning while the House is fiddling. Six weeks have passed since terrorists attacked America by…”

“Ground zero is still burning while the House is fiddling. Six weeks have passed since terrorists attacked America by hijacking four airplanes. Six weeks have passed since that deadly day, September 11, 2001, in which terrorists attacked the United States of America. Six weeks have passed since nearly 6,000 Americans and other people perished in the deadliest day in the history of American soil. Mr. Speaker, it is high time House leaders let the Members vote on the bipartisan aviation security bill, H.R. 2951, which I have cosponsored with the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Ganske) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews). It is high time Congress acts to protect the American people from future terrorist hijackings. We need to pass this bipartisan bill, because it provides the flexibility to hire a combination of Federal, State, and local law enforcement personnel to provide security for our Nation's airports. Airport security, Mr. Speaker, should be a law enforcement function, not a minimum wage function. Let me repeat that, Mr. Speaker, because that is the bottom line that divides us here in the House. That is what this debate is all about, and that is why the bill has yet to come to the floor. Airport security should be a law enforcement function and not a minimum wage function. The American people will not return to flying until they know the skies are safe. Despite the changes made since September 11, security lapses continue.”