Washington, DC:  Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, made the following statement in response to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that revealed that security screeners at 21 U.S. airports failed to find bomb-making materials during recent government tests:

“This report lays bare what many of us have been saying – that the Bush Administration’s reassurances about our homeland security defenses are unsupportable.  The Administration acts like the homeowner who posts a “BEWARE OF DOG” sign without getting a dog.   It might fool some of the public, but terrorists know what is real and what is not.  This Administration’s approach is all bark and no bite – and the United States is left with gaping loopholes in our national security.   Five years after 9/11 we are still not where we should be with hardening the security of airports, ports, nuclear and chemical facilities.  This new report should send a chill down the spine of anyone who has listened to the Bush Administration officials siding with industry and blocking sensible reforms to increase security at these facilities,” said Rep. Markey.

“Half-measures will not prevent the next terrorist disaster – we cannot allow half of the contents traveling on passenger planes to go unscreened, as we continue to do today.  Right now, the United States is spending 5 billion dollars a month in Iraq.  We cannot continue to nickel and dime the funding for homeland security here in the United States, while writing a blank check for the war in Iraq.  Americans deserve more than piecemeal security at airports.  How many warnings does this Administration need to take action?” Markey asked.

Representative Markey has introduced the Strengthen Aviation Security Act, legislation to close dangerous aviation security loopholes that persist almost five years after the September 11th attacks.  Security measures in Rep. Markey’s legislation include: a requirement that 100 percent of cargo carried on passenger planes is screened within three years, according to a phased-in schedule; security upgrades at airports serving small, general aviation aircraft; and strengthened perimeter security measures at airports. 

For more information on Rep. Markey’s work on aviation security check out: http://markey.house.gov/