Senate

Dem senator wants to bolster airport security

by Jordain Carney - 12/04/15 11:16 AM ET

Sen. Bill Nelson is planning to introduce legislation aimed at bolstering airport security after a Russian airliner crash was tied to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“In this age of terrorism, we can’t afford to make any mistakes,” the Florida Democrat said in a statement.

{mosads}The proposal, which is focused on internal airport security, comes after U.S. officials told ABC News last month that information intercepted from ISIS indicated that the terrorist group was in touch with someone at the Egyptian airport where the airliner took off.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) separately told ABC’s “This Week” that ISIS “may have concluded that the best way to defeat airport defenses is not to go through them but to go around them with the help of somebody on the inside.”

To help “limit the potential threat posed by airport employees,” Nelson added that his proposal will increase background checks and require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to enhance its screening of employees at the airports where it oversees aviation security.

Nelson didn’t specify when he would introduce his legislation, but noted that it’s likely to go through the Commerce Committee, which is chaired by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.).

Nelson said earlier this year that he wants all airport employees screened with a metal detector and asked the TSA to review its internal security procedures to identify any gaps.

He also, separately, suggested the the Federal Aviation Administration should help the TSA cover the cost of screening any airline or airport employees that have access to secure areas.

Tags Adam Schiff Bill Nelson John Thune