Contact: Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Wednesday, September 15, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that he and Senator John Ensign's (R-NV) amendment to increase airport security passed the full Senate as part of the Homeland Security bill. This amendment will help airports more effectively screen luggage and provides an additional $75 million for airports to make explosion detection systems (EDS) part of their baggage screening process.

"Today Congress sent a message to air passengers that their safety is a priority," said Senator Kit Bond. "It is critical that we make every effort to make our system the safest in the skies, increased federal funding for the latest technology and equipment to protect our travelers is important in this effort."

Currently the bulky baggage screening machines sit in crowded terminal buildings where they were temporarily placed in the aftermath of 9-11. This positioning creates safety and security risks in addition to inconvenienceing the traveling public. Also, the machines' current location wastes federal resources by requiring additional screening personnel to operate, transfer bags, etc.

Permanently installing EDS equipment behind the scenes as part of an airport's baggage system is a costly undertaking, requiring extensive construction at airports. The funds provided by the Ensign-Bond amendment will provide resources for installation of EDS equipment behind the scenes as part of an airport's baggage system. This increase in funding for EDS will not fully meet airports' funding needs, but it is a step in the right direction, Bond stressed. Also, the additional $75 million, bringing the total to $325 million for explosion detection systems this year, is 100 percent offset by a reduction in funds for airport information technology support.

In March, Bond spearheaded efforts to include EDS funding in the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. In a letter to Senator Thad Cochran, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Bond stressed the immediate need for EDS in airports across the country which will enhance security and produce long-term savings for taxpayers. Bond noted that the recently released 9-11 Commission Report recommended the expediting of the EDS equipment as part of its aviation-related recommendations.

The Ensign-Bond amendment is included in the fiscal year 2005 Homeland Security spending bill, which passed the full Senate last night. The Senate bill must now be reconciled with the House version of the legislation before going to the President for his signature.