WASHINGTON – Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin today voted for the Airline Security Act, H.R. 3150 despite the fact "that it didn’t federalize airport screeners. It’s more important that we move ahead in dealing with the many serious problems we have in airport security."

The Congressman also supported the bipartisan alternative, which – like the Senate version of the bill – would have federalized all 28,000 airport security screeners. The Senate version passed the Senate unanimously Oct. 11. The House and Senate versions now go to a conference committee to iron out the main difference which centers on the federalization of airport screeners.

Rep. Cardin, however, pointed out that the Airline Security Act contained many other important security measures. The bill calls for the establishment of an agency within the Department of Transportation to oversee security on airplanes, trains, ships and other modes of transportation. The federal government also would set stricter security standards and train, test and supervise baggage and passenger screeners.

The bill requires that airport screeners be U.S. citizens and includes a pay raise for security screeners. It also gives the government the option of hiring screeners or allowing them to continue to work for private security firms. The bill also would expand the use of federal marshals on planes, secure cockpit doors, permit pilots to carry guns and require background checks of workers with access to secure areas. In addition, by 2003, all checked baggage will be screened for explosives.

"Since Sept. 11, Americans understand that aviation security is national security. It’s unfortunate that the House version doesn’t contain the strongest federal accountability of airline screeners, but we must move forward as soon as possible to implement many of these important safety measures."