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MCCAIN CALLS FOR GREATER RAIL SECURITY
July 12, 2006
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) sent the following letter to Senators Frist (R-TN) and Stevens (R-AK) calling for legislation to increase rail security:
Dear Mr. Leader and Chairman Stevens:
I am writing to urge you to bring rail security legislation to the full Senate for consideration as soon as possible.
Yesterday's deadly terrorist attack on commuter trains in Mumbai, India, which resulted in at least 183 deaths and hundreds of injuries, is a sad reminder of the vulnerabilities our own rail system faces. The Mumbai tragedy follows similar attacks in London last year and in Madrid two years ago. All of these incidents are painful reminders of the cruel nature of our enemies in the war on terror, and of what we must do to fight and win against those who wish to eradicate our way of life.
One year ago this week, I introduced S. 1379, the Rail Security Act of 2005. A nearly identical bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent during the last Congress, and a similar measure was reported by the Senate Commerce Committee during the 107th Congress. The legislation would, among other things, authorize resources to ensure rail transportation security receives a high priority in our efforts to secure our country from terrorism. It also would authorize funding to address long-standing fire and life-safety needs for several tunnels along the Northeast Corridor, funding that is all the more urgent given last week's arrest by the FBI of eight suspects tied to al Qaeda who were plotting attacks on train tunnels connecting New York and New Jersey.
While I support the Commerce Committees efforts to address a wide range of transportation modes in its legislation reported earlier this year, which includes largely the provisions of S. 1379, I hope that you will agree that we should not allow further delay in the Senate's consideration of rail security legislation. Since 9/11, only modest resources have been dedicated to rail security, and efforts to address this issue remain fragmented despite the constant and tragic reminders abroad that we are in need of immediate action. The Mumbai, London, and Madrid attacks on rail systems demonstrate all too vividly the continuing need for this legislation.
Thanks you for your attention to my request.
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