On the recordFebruary 2, 2011
I have some notes, but the distinguished Senator from Rhode Island has exhausted my brilliant notes in his own speech. Just let it be said that it is an extraordinarily dangerous situation, this whole concept of stronger lasers, more carefully targeted lasers from greater distances, and being able to do it from behind trees and hidden places blinding, probably temporarily at this point but maybe permanently as they become stronger or doing damage to the eye. When the Senator spoke about having to turn over the duties of landing the airplane or taking off the airplane to a copilot because of this threat, it makes me worry that it is going to get worse because this is kind of easy to do. In essence, it becomes an act of terrorism, not just the problem of safety for the airplane and its passengers and the pilots. It is a superb amendment. It is my strong feeling it will pass this body easily and it will become law. The Senator from Rhode Island deserves enormous credit for bringing this to the attention of the Congress. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island.
