Nov 2, 2010: Markey and Lowey Call for Expanded Cargo Screening |
Senior Members of Congress Call for Screening of All Air Cargo Originating from ‘Countries of Interest’
WASHINGTON,
DC – Following an attempted terrorist attack involving air cargo,
Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY)
today sent a letter to President Barack Obama, calling to immediately
begin screening all cargo originating from ‘countries of interest.’
“We
know that al Qaeda will continue to look for any vulnerability in our
national security system. Which is why I plan to introduce legislation
when Congress reconvenes later this month to address the air cargo
screening gap for cargo planes,” said Congressman Markey. “As an
immediate response, intensifying our screening efforts of all cargo from
these countries of interest is a smart and straightforward step we can
take to ensure that both passenger and cargo planes don’t become
carriers for bombs meant to harm our country.”
“This most recent
attempted attack shows again that cargo can be just as dangerous as
passengers,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “All cargo on flights originating
from high-risk countries should be screened. Terrorists do not restrict
their plots to a particular type of plane, so our security procedures
should not either."
Full letter text below:
Dear President Obama:
First we want to commend your National Security team for their response
to the latest threat brought against the American people. By quickly
moving on actionable intelligence the loss of life was avoided.
However, as authors and conferees of the Implementing Recommendations
of the 9/11 Commission Act, we believe there is more we can do to
protect our citizens and our interests, domestically and abroad.
This latest incident highlights the aggressive nature of Al Qaeda in
the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and shows that we must maintain an enhanced
posture toward their network. To that end, it is necessary for the
United States to immediately begin screening all air cargo originating
from “countries of interest.” This list should include, but not
necessarily be limited to, those same nations for which the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ordered enhanced screening
techniques for passengers bound for the United States following the
failed attack of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab last year.
Although current law requires the screening of cargo only on passenger
aircraft, a requirement TSA has still not met for all international
flights, we must insist that we immediately screen all air cargo
originating in these nations and bound for the United States regardless
of whether the flight carries passengers or not.
We look forward to working with your Administration to improve our nation’s security.
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