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Bush urges Senate on aviation security

By KATHY A. GAMBRELL, White House reporter

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- More than one month after hijackers took over four commercial airliners in a terrorist attack against the United States, President Bush on Saturday said he supported the House version of an aviation security bill that allows partial federalization of baggage screeners.

"It was modeled after proposals I made last month. Under the Young bill, the federal government will assume complete control of airport security and screening. It also greatly expands the Federal Air Marshal program, and provides substantial new funding for secure cockpits and other security measures aboard airplanes," President Bush said in his weekly radio address to the nation.

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The legislation aimed at making air travel safer for passengers has been stalled in the House of Representatives as a debate has flared over whether the security personnel who screen baggage should be made federal employees. Bush has opposed complete federalization of airport screeners, but has been frustrated over the delay in getting a measure through Congress and had threatened to sign security measures into place by executive order.

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"The Senate bill mandates that all passenger and baggage screeners be federal workers in all circumstances. While that bill is well-intended, the best approach will be one that provides flexibility," Bush said.

The White House prefers a measure introduced by Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Young bill federalizes, but does not nationalize, airline security screening. The measure mandates stricter screening standards, federal supervision of the screening process and background checks and testing.

The White House pointed out on Friday that complete federalization would make it tougher to dismiss poorly performing workers. Bush said the Young bill allows the use of private contractors operating under tough federal standards on background checks with federal law enforcement at every gate to promote better screening services. The bill also ensures that security managers can move aggressively to discipline or fire employees who fail to live up to the rigorous new standards.

Some Democrats had charged that House Republicans were delaying a vote on the bill.

On Tuesday, Vice President Dick Cheney met with Rep. Dick Armey and Rep. Tom Delay, both Texas Republicans, presumably to prod the process along.

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The legislation is in answer to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks which destroyed the World Trade Centers in New York City and severely damaged the Pentagon building outside Washington.

The bill is in addition to an anti-terrorism legislation signed into law by Bush on Friday that expands the ability of law enforcement to perform wiretapping, surveillance of electronic transmissions, and searches.

"The bill I signed yesterday gives intelligence and law enforcement officials additional tools they need to hunt and capture and punish terrorists. Our enemies operate by highly sophisticated methods and technologies, using the latest means of communication and the new weapon of bioterrorism," Bush said. He said the new law would make it easier for agencies to share vital information about terrorist activity.

He went on to say: "These measures were enacted with broad support in both parties. They reflect a firm resolve to uphold and respect the civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, while dealing swiftly and severely with terrorists."

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