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American Morning

America's New War: Senate Committee Hearing from Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta and FAA Administrator Jane Garvey

Aired September 20, 2001 - 11:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: A group of representatives and senators are now on their way to the area that used to be called ground zero, that is now being called "The Zone," while other lawmakers stay behind in Washington.

Let's go to Kate Snow to find out what is on tap for later today.

Hi, Kate.

KATE SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Paula.

A lot going on here. And one thing that is happening now is a Senate committee hearing from transportation secretary Norm Mineta and the FAA administrator Jane Garvey. Mr. Mineta speaking on several fronts. On one front, the financial threat to the airlines. He's talking about the administration wants to provide to the airlines up front. He was talking about asking for $5 billion in direct cash payments to the airlines. He also wants to help airlines get insurance for acts of terrorism or war for the next six months. He also wants it help shield the airlines, the administration wants it shield the airlines from the potential for enormous lawsuits.

Some of the items are very controversial and they may or may not be resolved by the Congress over the next couple of days. Mr. Mineta, though, also talking about security and saying that the administration wants an additional $3 billion to help the airlines enhance their security. At this hearing, they have been talking about a number of different issues, making the doors more secure between the cockpit and the passengers, federal air marshals and also federalizing those that check security on the ground at the airport.

There seems to be general agreement among senators they want to see these things done and done quickly, and a little bit of criticism from one senator in particular, asking Mr. Mineta how everything happened last week, how could they have let things go so wrong.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NORMAN MINETA, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: We are not laggers. And I will put my record on the line at this time.

SEN. RON WYDEN (D), OREGON: Secretary, again, I'm, a, not interested in any blame game. B, I think what you did in the specific instance, you described, was very welcome. What I'm interesting, though, is knowing whether the government is now going to be persistent and relentless in making the changes for the long-term.

For example...

MINETA: The answer is yes.

WYDEN: That's what I wanted to hear.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: Mr. Mineta saying that he has a task force that he has set up within his agency, trying to figure out some of the security issues as fast as possible and get them implemented. And one other point many senators making here today, Paula, that airline travel is safe. They are trying to get the word out to Americans, that although they are talking about a lot of these issues, the feeling is that right now what's happening in the skies very safe and people should feel free to get back on planes -- Paula.

ZAHN: Thanks, Kate.

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