Democrats plan security measures

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Democrats in the U.S. Congress said they plan to enhance domestic security by putting millions of dollars into port and airport security technology.

The Democrats, who won control of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in Tuesday's elections, had promised to implement recommendations from the Sept. 11 commission and a recently published plan makes security a priority when the party takes over the majority in January, USA Today reported Friday.

"I expect a much more supportive attitude on better funding for (the Transportation Security Administration) to get them the equipment they need and maybe more personnel," said Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., a senior member of the TSA oversight committee.

However, critics have said some of the Democrats' plans for airport security could be harmful to the industry.

Jon Kent, a lobbyist for air cargo groups, told USA Today a Democratic plan to require all airplane cargo to be scanned by bomb detectors "would be a disaster for air commerce" because of the amount of time it would require.