HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBMITS MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SECURITY BILL

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBMITS MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SECURITY BILL    The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure submitted a bill that calls for comprehensive security across all transportation modes.
   The bill, “The Secure Transportation for America Act of 2001,” would create a new Transportation Security Administration under the Department of Transportation, whose task would be to oversee security for airports and airlines.
   In addition, the bill would allow federal security screeners to perform manual searches of cargo, and the ability to use tools to open boxes, crates or other common cargo packaging before entering planes.
   Other measures in the bill would include: requiring federal and state law personnel at screening locations at airports, federal supervision of the screening process for security personnel at airports, and requirements to strengthen cockpit doors.
   “Our bill is designed to provide a comprehensive approach to transportation security not just in air, but also other modes of transportation that must be addressed in the coming year,” said Rep. Don Young, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.