Wednesday, March 05, 2003 Contact: Sean Oblack (202) 225-4176 Rep. Adam Schiff Introduces Air Cargo Security Act December 2002 GAO Report Highlights Glaring Gaps in Air Cargo Security WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced the Air Cargo Security Act today - legislation sponsored by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) in the Senate - in response to a December 2002 General Accounting Office report summarizing the vulnerabilities of the U.S. cargo system on passenger planes.  "Since September 11th, we've made great advances in the field of air safety, but much remains to be done" Rep. Adam Schiff said today.  "Cargo carried on passenger planes continues to be a major vulnerability.  Most air cargo is never screened for explosives; there are no criminal background check requirements for cargo handlers and shipments are susceptible to tampering during land transportation.  Aviation is only as safe from terrorism as its most vulnerable component.  Strengthening air cargo security is vital to ensuring passenger safety and that's why I'm introducing the Air Cargo Security Act." According to the GAO report on air cargo security - commissioned by Sens. Hutchison (R-TX) and Feinstein (D-CA) - nearly one-quarter of all air cargo is transported on passenger aircraft, yet only a fraction of that cargo is ever inspected.  The report found that air cargo is vulnerable to tampering at multiple points during land transportation and at cargo handling facilities.  In addition, the "known shippers" freight-forwarding program does not have sufficient safeguards in place to adequately protect against cargo tampering.  The Air Cargo Security Act will strengthen air cargo security on all commercial flights by closing existing air cargo security loopholes. Sens. Hutchison and Feinstein recently re-introduced this bipartisan legislation in the Senate, where it passed with bipartisan support in the 107th Congress.  This Act requires the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) to increase security for cargo transported in passenger aircraft.  Specifically it directs the TSA to: Develop a strategic plan to ensure the security of all air cargo;  Establish a training program for cargo handlers to protect cargo from tampering;  Inspect air cargo shipping facilities regularly; and Establish an industry-wide pilot program database of known shippers. Under this Act, the TSA retains tremendous flexibility in developing a program to inspect and screen air cargo.  These measures range from low- to high-tech, including using more bomb-sniffing dogs; installing more cameras in cargo areas; screening air cargo for explosives; securing cargo with high-tech seals; or using cargo tracking systems or industry wide computer profiling systems.   The Air Cargo Security Act enjoys bi-partisan support in the House, with Reps. Scott McInnis (R-CO), Ed Case (D-HI), and Chris Bell (D-TX) cosponsoring the bill. Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.