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American Morning
America's New War: Bush Heads to Chicago to Unveil New Airport Safety Measures
Aired September 27, 2001 - 09:05 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.
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: Another major development today, the president leaving Washington, traveling to Chicago to speak to airline workers out there to unveil a new package of airport and airline safety measures, he hopes not only will make planes more safe, but also convince Americans it is time to take to the skies again.
For more details on that proposal we bring in my colleague over at the White House, Kelly Wallace -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, that is really a big part of this, trying to encourage Americans to feel comfortable again getting on airplanes and give a boost to the struggling airlines industry.
As you noted, the president to unveil a package of proposals when he goes to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Topping the list, the president to say that he is going to ask Congress to expand permanently the federal sky marshal program. This program has been in place since the 1970s after there were a series of U.S. hijackings; already training under way of sky marshals. The goal is to have armed federal marshals on most domestic flights in the United States, again, to make flights more safe and to send a reassuring message to the American people.
The president also to do some other things. One to significantly increase the roll of the federal government when its comes to airport screening and security. The federal government will be setting standards for security operations, will be doing background checks and security workers and overseeing training and having a bigger federal presence at security checkpoints. Also, we mentioned air marshals, expending that.
The third, the president going to ask Congress for $500 million to strengthen and make the cockpit doors much stronger to delay or deny access into the cockpit.
Now, one another thing the president to do in the short-run, saying that these proposals will take four to six months, and so he is going to be calling on the governors in all 50 states to call up National Guard troops, again, to have more visible presence, a more visible military presence at airports around the country.
And one other thing, John, that is going on, a little bit of symbolism here: Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, as we know, could have easily gone on Air Force One with president to Chicago; instead, he decided to fly commercially. He took to a flight from Baltimore Washington International Airport heading to Chicago. Again, the message is, it is safe to get on the planes; it is a message to try to get people more confidence in the airlines -- John.
KING: Well, Kelly, the president will be speaking to a group of airline workers in Chicago. Across the country, 100 thousand people who work in the airline industry have learned in the last two weeks that they will be losing their jobs, at least temporarily.
Aboard Air Force One with the president, not the transportation secretary, but the head of the AFLCIO, the House Democratic leader, Dick Gephardt; they believe Congress and the president should support a multibillion dollar package to help the workers, not only the airline workers, but others laid off in the ripple effect here. What does the president have to say about that?
WALLACE: Well, you can image that's going to be a big topic of discussion on that flight. Really, there is no set deal. The president, the White House, they definitely want to do something, obviously some pressure to help, as you noted, about 100 thousand workers out of a job.
The real debate, John, is the size and scope of a package. As you noted, Democrats pushing some $3 billion measure, which would covering unemployment benefits, health care coverage, job retraining. Some Republicans looking for a more of a modest proposal. The word is that the White House working with Democrats and Republicans to try to get something done.
John, another sticking point, some Democrats want to group into any airline security bill a package for airline workers, so that's another sticking point that needs to be resolved. Both sides want to work together, but really, the size and scope of the package still has not been worked out -- John.
KING: Thank you, Kelly Wallace at the White House.
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