Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa praised the House of Representatives on Thursday for swiftly passing HR 2200, which would tighten transportation security.
Hoffa also thanked House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson for his work on the bill authorizing spending for the Transportation Security Administration.
"This important legislation takes the right step toward robust national security," Hoffa said. "It tightens security for surface, air and maritime transportation, protecting our nation and provides needed security training for workers within the transportation industry," Hoffa said.
David Bourne, director of the Teamsters Airline Division, sent a letter to Chairman Thompson on Wednesday supporting the work of the Homeland Security Committee.
"I am pleased that the House recognizes the need for a single high security standard for aircraft maintenance," said Bourne, "Currently, U.S. aircraft maintained and overhauled in foreign countries do not have to conform to the same security standards as domestic repair stations. This loophole has potentially dire consequences for passengers and the aviation professionals that we represent."
HR 2200 orders TSA to issue long-overdue security standards for foreign repair stations that are comparable to domestic standards for air carriers and airports. The standards would cover background checks, access to aircraft and perimeter security in order to prevent terrorists from infiltrating our aviation system and harming the U.S. or other countries.
The bill will now move to the Senate consideration. The Teamsters will continue to lobby on Capitol Hill until this important legislation is signed into law.
