Editorial: Air cargo loophole needs to be closed

Friday, Aug. 8, 2003 | 8:39 a.m.

During the past couple of weeks the Homeland Security Department has warned about the possibility of terrorists using commercial jets to carry out more attacks. Officials said that they closed a loophole that allowed some foreigners to enter U.S. airports without a visa. The department also said there will be more scrutiny of electronics, such as cell phones, that passengers bring on planes because of concerns that terrorists could use them to conceal weapons.

The response to these potential threats is good, but the Bush administration still refuses to deal with one of the biggest airline security loopholes. The administration continues to oppose legislation passed in the House that would require cargo to be screened before it's loaded onto commercial flights. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., who has pushed for the requirement, notes that 22 percent of all cargo is shipped on passenger planes. This lack of screening is a glaring lapse in security that was pointed out shortly after 9-11, but the administration won't address it because of the costs. (Each screening machine can cost about $10 million.)

More screening will be costly, but scrimping on homeland security is unconscionable. The White House enthusiastically has tapped the federal treasury to pay for tax breaks geared principally for wealthy Americans. The administration should show the same level of intensity in guaranteeing that we spend enough money to protect homeland security.