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US Congress Supports Government Control of Airport Security
US congressional leaders expressed their support Sunday for the federal government to take over airport security from the airlines.
"I think we must convince the American people very quickly that it's safe to go to airports and to get on airplanes and fly as we did before September 11, and I think the federal government has the central responsibility to do that," House Democratic leader Richard Gephardt said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
Meanwhile, Senate majority leader Tom Daschle, House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate Republican leader Trent Lott expressed the same view on NBC's program.
"I think that would be my inclination, as well, to think that federal control is the best way to do this, at least for a period of time," said Daschle.
Hastert said the government should play a role in ensuring security at the airports, but he did not know how to fund it.
It is estimated that it would cost 1.8 billion dollars a year if the government took over the job of screening passengers before they board planes.
Many lawmakers, industry representatives and watchdog groups have long called on the government to replace security companies paid by the airlines.
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