Martin Sabo: “I rise to support the continuing resolution and to speak about the supplemental appropriations bill. Yesterday in the…”

“I rise to support the continuing resolution and to speak about the supplemental appropriations bill. Yesterday in the Committee on Appropriations, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) offered an amendment to increase funding for a number of critical security needs. Unfortunately, that amendment was defeated. The September 11 tragedies happened because terrorists were able to take over the cockpit of four airplanes. The Obey amendment would have provided an additional $250 million to prevent this from ever happening again. The President even requested this funding, but the majority bill, due to other priorities, included only $50 million of the President's $300 million request. Today, the airlines have made some interim improvements so that cockpit doors cannot be as easily broken into, such as the strengthening of bolts. The President's proposed $300 million for permanent modifications to secure the cockpit doors to prevent an intruder from entering the cockpit, the funding request by the President and included in the Obey amendment, would help airlines ensure that all aircraft cockpit doors are secured as quickly as possible.”