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American Morning

America's New War: President Bush On Way to Chicago to Unveil New Airport and Airline Safety Measures

Aired September 27, 2001 - 11:13   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: We have been reporting throughout the morning, President Bush on his way to Chicago, to unveil new airport and airline safety measures.

Our Major Garrett is traveling with him.

Excuse us, it's getting a little breezy up here on the roof.

Major, help us set the scene.

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, John, a little windy here in Chicago, as always.

And before we get to the details of what the president is going to talk about, I guess it's worth pointing out that it is still difficult in some ways for the White House, for the nation to get back to that semblance of routine the president talks as being so important.

First and foremost, today it constitutes a news event for the president to actually board Air Force One and fly out of Washington. First time that's happened since September 11. That is a news event.

And a news event here in Chicago, coming here, where it is being described routinely by speakers proceeding the president as an act of patriotism to fly aboard commercial airline in America. That's certainly a big change. And of course airline security is the first and highest priority of the president's visit here, trying to encourage Americans that the federal government is taking all necessary steps to assure safety aboard airlines, which have been rocked by all the terrorist incidents and all the sense of fear that has accompanied them.

Specifically what the president will talk about, several federal steps. First and foremost, to make sure eventually, soon, but eventually, all commercial airlines in America will have federal airline marshals aboard. They'll be trained by the federal government and aboard every flight. Also, the federal government will supervise and purchase equipment for new baggage and security personnel at all commercial airports. That's going to take a good long while, but the federal government, working with Congress, is committed to doing that. Also stepping up security around the country in the interim by placing National Guard troops, asking the governors of all 50 states to put those National Guard Troops in the commercial airports, so Americans understand that security is being taken care of right now, while new security personnel are being trained by the federal government and the FAA.

The governors will be reimbursed by the federal government for the cost of deploying those National Guard troops. All those a part of the president's announcements here today -- John.

KING: And, Major, special guest with the president, the president of the AFL-CIO, the House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt, indications that the president is also moving toward perhaps some plan to try to help all the workers dislocated because of this crisis?

GARRETT: That's right. There was good deal of pressure on Capitol Hill to put some sort of relief package for the workers who have lost jobs, who have lost health care benefits, because of the terrorist attacks in this airline security bill. The White House decided not to do that. They want to take that up on a much broader economic stimulus plan. They want to make this a straight airline security bill.

But nevertheless, the White House does want to put those benefits in an economic stimulus package. John Sweeney, the AFL-CIO leader here, will talk about that. The president will make remarks, we are told, indicating his general support for that plan. And, also, they want to maintain this very strong appearance of bipartisanship. That's why we have the speaker of the house and the Democratic leader; every message here, is it's bipartisan, unified and swift.

KING: All right, Major Garrett with the president in Chicago, thank you for that. We'll check in with you a little bit later in the day.

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