Berkley, Gibbons differ on aviation security strategies

Benjamin Grove

Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 | 11:16 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The two-member Nevada House delegation was a microcosm of the sharply divided chamber on the airline security bills.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., argued in favor of the Democratic legislation that federalized workers; Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., argued for the Republican bill.

"One role of the federal government that we can all agree on is that the government has a responsibility to ensure our national security," Berkley said in a speech during debate Thursday night. "We would never privatize our military or our border control agents. Yet we still contract out our aviation security to the lowest bidder."

Berkley said passing an airline security bill would increase passenger traffic to struggling cities that depend on tourists.

After House approval of the GOP measure, a dejected Berkley said it was a "very unfortunate vote."

"After Sept. 11 it is apparent that airline security and national safety are synonymous," Berkley said. "Ought we not have the best people possible screening our baggage?"

Berkley said there was "no guarantee" House and Senate negotiators would reach an agreement at all, leaving the nation with no new airline security law.

"We are playing a very dangerous partisan game," Berkley said.

But House Republicans were confident a deal can be reached. Gibbons said the GOP bill was far better than the Democratic version, which mirrored the Senate bill. The Republican bill includes a host of important changes, he said. It implements change at all airports, not just the largest ones, Gibbons said.

The legislation also requires that by 2004 all bags, including checked luggage, go through screening machines. The legislation requires stricter government control over airport security and calls for more training for baggage screeners.

"Our bill absolutely changes the status quo," Gibbons said. "The Senate bill was a knee-jerk reaction. The Senate bill was seriously flawed and rushed."

Gibbons said every airport is safer than before Sept. 11 and will be significantly safer if House and Senate negotiators work out an agreement.

"Every one of us wants to make passenger safety a No. 1 priority," said Gibbons, a former commercial pilot.