Madam Speaker, today I join my colleague from Illinois, Mr. Lipinski, in introducing legislation (H.R. 2288) that will address a security loophole endangering millions of Americans. One lesson we…
Madam Speaker, today I join my colleague from Illinois, Mr. Lipinski, in introducing legislation (H.R. 2288) that will address a security loophole endangering millions of Americans. One lesson we learned from September 11 is the importance of airport security. The security of our airports has a glaring weakness: badges.
According to a CBS Channel 2 Chicago investigative report, 3,760 aviation security badges have gone missing from O'Hare Airport since 2004. These badges are the only identification necessary for law enforcement officials, independent contractors, baggage handlers, flight attendants, and pilots to enter O'Hare. Aside from these aviation security badges, no baggage inspections, metal detectors, or other searches are required to enter the airfield. The investigative report revealed that airport contractors are unwilling to reclaim badges from employees who quit, were fired, or otherwise reassigned.
This casual attitude towards reclaiming security badges is not acceptable. O'Hare registered more than 477,000 flights in 2005. In light of last year's liquid explosive threat, there remains a risk of terrorist attacks on domestic and international flights. Given this threat, we must know with certainty who has unrestricted access to the airport, terminals, baggage, and aircraft and if they remain trustworthy and authorized to work in a secure area.
This problem is not isolated to Chicago. According to data compiled by the Congressional Research Service, many of the Nation's airports have similar problems reclaiming security badges. In early February, officials at the Los Angeles International Airport reported more than 120 missing Transportation Security Administration uniforms and badges. In Oakland, 500 badges went missing last year. At Buffalo Airport in New York, nearly 40 security badges were reported missing or stolen in 2006. Forty-two turned up missing in Dallas.
What we need now is for the private contractors who employ airport employees to be held accountable for what should be a routine business practice. Under this legislation, contractors must make a reasonable effort to retrieve badges from employees whose term of employment ends, and must notify the local airport authority of the termination within 24 hours. Failure to do would result in a civil fine of up to $10,000 per badge per day. Mr. Lipinski and I crafted this bill in consultation with the Airports Council International of North America, our Nation's largest airport association.
In the post-September 11 environment, we must ensure professional vigilance to secure our Nation's airports. We need private contractors to be held accountable for what should be a routine business practice. By hitting contractors where it hurts--their pocketbooks--we can help make our Nation's airports safer.
