Rob Portman: “we share the same goal here this evening. The question is how we best improve our aviation security. So let us ask some…”

“we share the same goal here this evening. The question is how we best improve our aviation security. So let us ask some questions about what will actually make passengers safer. Will airline passengers be safer if the responsibility for airline security is confusingly split between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Justice, meaning Transportation to be responsible for some safety aspects and Justice for others as is the case with the substitute amendment before us? I know this is not the gentleman from Minnesota's approach, but this is what is before us. This is the Senate bill. This lack of accountability will lead, in my view, to confusion, to finger pointing. Would passengers be safer if smaller airports received a different and lower level of protection than larger airports as is true with the substitute before us? Again, this is the Senate bill. I am not saying it is the gentleman from Minnesota's bill, but that is before us. Would airline passengers be safer if their baggage was screened by a Federal employee who if found to be incompetent would be more difficult to discipline, to fire as they would be under the substitute amendment before us? I have heard a lot of talk about the need to act quickly so let me ask this question. Would we be better off with a bill that does not have expedited procedures to move more quickly? My answer would be no.”