U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer Urges Fellow Senators
To Pass Transportation Security Bills
In Light Of 9/11 Commission Recommendations

by Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

August 16, 2004

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), at today's Commerce Committee hearing on the 9/11 Commission Report's transportation recommendations, renewed her call to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to take up several bipartisan homeland security bills awaiting Senate action and called for additional steps to keep Americans safe.

"With the release of the 9/11 Commission Report, we have the impetus to act - to finally put clothes on the emperor. We have the opportunity to show the American people we mean what we say when we say we are going to protect them," said Boxer. "The truth is, we have said enough. The Congress and the Administration must act now."

Boxer called for immediate action on the following legislation and security recommendations:

	Pass the Rail Security Bill: Approved unanimously by the Commerce Committee in April, the Rail Security Bill authorizes over $400 million for security improvements on passenger and freight rail. The bill has not been brought to the floor by Frist.
	Pass the Port Security Bill: Also approved unanimously by the Commerce Committee in April, the Port Security Bill funds Command and Control Centers at U.S. ports, authorizes $35 million annually to test port security technologies and requires a national cargo security plan within 180 days of passing.
	Pass the Guns in the Cockpit Bill: Currently the Department of Homeland Security is slow walking the program that certifies commercial airline pilots to carry guns in the cockpit. The Boxer-Bunning Guns in the Cockpit Bill would expedite the Federal Flight Deck Officer program so that more pilots are trained to protect commercial flights.
	Pass the Flight Attendant Security Training Act: Flight attendants are not receiving adequate training to defend planes against terrorism. Senator Boxer introduced this bill to mandate standardized anti-terrorist training for flight attendants.
	Expedite Anti-Missile Countermeasures on Commercial Aircraft: Shoulder-Fired Missiles pose a significant threat to commercial aircraft, yet the Department of Homeland Security will not even finish a study on countermeasures until 2006.
	Place More Air Marshals on Planes: The Administration has not committed to putting more air marshals on flights, and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge has said there would be fewer air marshals in 2005 than in 2004.
	Mandate Nationwide Trusted Traveler Program: This program allows frequent travelers background checks to expedite their screening, allowing airport security to focus on higher risk passengers.

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

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