Lautenberg Statement on Security Breaches at Newark Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today issued the following statement after multiple security breaches disrupted travel at Newark Liberty International Airport over the weekend:

"The breaches at Newark Liberty feel like deja vu. Despite significant changes, there continue to be unacceptable security lapses that threaten passenger safety and erode the reliability of our airport," said Lautenberg, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. "Because of a screening error, hundreds of flights were delayed and canceled, inconveniencing thousands of passengers around the country. A recent federal investigation that I requested exposed serious problems at Newark Liberty, and I will keep fighting to make sure TSA takes the corrective actions needed to bring these incidents to an end."

Lautenberg, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and a member of the Aviation Subcommittee on the Commerce Committee, has been working to tighten security at Newark Liberty Airport. After a major breach in January 2010 revealed security gaps at the airport, Lautenberg introduced legislation to improve exit lane security and increase penalties for breaching security. These provisions were passed in last year's Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which was signed into law in December 2011.

Following a spate of security breaches at Newark Liberty Airport in January and February 2011, Lautenberg called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General Richard Skinner to conduct an immediate investigation into the security breaches at Newark Liberty. The investigation, released in May 2012, recommended that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) develop a comprehensive oversight program to ensure breaches are accurately reported and that the agency takes action to correct vulnerabilities.

Lautenberg also authored a provision in this year's homeland security funding bill requiring the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to address security issues raised by the Inspector General's report. The bill is awaiting approval in the full Senate.

Read this original document at: http://www.lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=337431

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