For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 15, 2001
President's Statement on Aviation Security Agreement
Statement by the President
I commend the House and Senate conferees for reaching an agreement that
puts the federal government in charge of aviation security, making
airline travel safer for the American people.
This agreement improves upon the Senate-passed legislation in
several important ways, including putting responsibility for all modes
of transportation security at the Department of Transportation, where
it belongs. Today's agreement also gives the federal
government the flexibility to ensure a safe transition to a new
aviation security system and will ultimately offer local authorities an
option to employ the highest quality workforce-public or
private. In addition, the compromise will help ensure
security by requiring that all screeners be U.S. citizens and by
guaranteeing the screening of all checked bags.
Safety comes first. And when it comes to safety, we will
set high standards and enforce them. I congratulate the
conferees and look forward to signing this important legislation into
law.
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