FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 5, 2010

CONTACT: Aaron Keyak
office: (202) 225-5061
cell: (202) 905-6361
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Washington, DC – Representative Steve Rothman (D-NJ), a member of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, released the following statement in response to the October 29, 2010 failed bomb plot that originated in Yemen:

I applaud the United States Homeland Security apparatus and the Obama Administration for successfully stopping the terrorist attacks planned for October 29, 2010, but we must do more.

As a member of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, I was proud to vote for passage of legislation, signed into law on August 3, 2007, which requires the screening of 100% of cargo on passenger flights in the United States by August 2010.  I have also fought to increase the budget for passenger and cargo screening on airplanes. The safety of the American people demands that we screen all cargo for bombs and chemical, biological, and nuclear material.

Because of these efforts, we have made much progress and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has increased its required domestic cargo screening levels from 50% in February 2009 to 75% in May 2010. However, we are still short of our goal and we must redouble our efforts to make sure that we screen 100% of this cargo as soon as possible.

In particular, this issue strikes close to home. My constituents and many Americans rely on the Port Newark/Elizabeth in Northern New Jersey and we must ensure that we have the best security possible to protect us in New Jersey and throughout our country.

As the October 29, 2010 failed terrorist attack showed, we must strengthen the security of the cargo that comes into this country.

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