Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today criticized the House of Representatives for passing, by a vote of
286-139, H.R. 3150, the Aviation Security Bill, which excluded many of the provisions in the version passed by the Senate earlier this week by a vote of 100-0.

Congresswoman Lee voted for the Democratic Substitute, under which the Department of Justice (DOJ) would have been
responsible for the screening of all passengers and baggage. It also would have required that federal employees conduct
screening at the 137 largest airports. The substitute would have created a Deputy Secretary for Transportation Security at the
Department of Transportation (DOT) to carry out security responsibilities for all modes of transportation and, during national
emergencies, coordinate all domestic transportation.

"It is important that we provide the safest environment for both our aviation industry employees and the customers who have
come to rely on airline travel, air cargo, aircraft recreation and tourism," Said Lee. "Today, the U.S. Congress failed to provide the appropriate resources to strengthen and implement expanded aviation security measures so that our airline industry can get back on track and our nation’s economy as a whole can once again prosper."

The Democratic Substitute would have required the DOT to develop a program to enable airports to screen 100 percent of
checked baggage, as is done on all international flights. It would have placed Air Marshals on all aircraft and mandated cockpit doors and locks that cannot be opened by anyone other than flight deck crew. The bill would have enacted a user fee of $2.50 per passenger to pay for security services, including a strengthening of perimeter security and increasing the presence of law enforcement.

"I recently met with officials to discuss enhanced security measures that are in place at the Oakland International Airport," said
Lee. "The legislation passed today fails to support existing plans for further strengthening those security measures, and lacks
provisions contained in the Democratic Substitute that would have gone a long way in making our skies safe, boosting
confidence in the airlines, and improving the economy."

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