KATKO INTRODUCES LEGISLATION PROHIBITING FLIGHTS TO CUBA UNTIL SECURITY CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED
Washington, D.C. – Following the Obama Administration’s failure to account for the screening and security concerns at Cuban airports, U.S. Representative John Katko (NY-24) today introduced the Cuban Airport Security Act of 2016, which effectively puts a pause on all commercial air travel between the United States and Cuba until the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) certifies that Cuban airports have the appropriate security measures in place to protect American travelers.
Just two weeks ago, Representative Katko and a bipartisan group of members of the House Homeland Security Committee were denied visas for a scheduled visit to examine the security measures at Cuban airports. The trip was necessitated after Obama Administration officials refused to answer questions from Members of Congress at a House Homeland Security Committee Transportation Security Subcommittee hearing chaired by Representative Katko on the national security concerns associated with resuming commercial air service to Cuba.
Representative Katko spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this afternoon to express these concerns and to urge his colleagues to support his legislation, stating in part, “I still have serious concerns about the capabilities of Cuba’s airport screening equipment and procedures, how Cuban airport workers are vetted, and whether or not Federal Air Marshals will even be able to fly missions on American plans to and from Cuba. As the Chairman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, I believe it is my duty to do everything in my power to ensure the security of the traveling American public and I take that duty very seriously. That is why I have introduced legislation to stop the Administration from moving forward with flights to Cuba until these security concerns are adequately addressed.”
The Cuban Airport Security Act of 2016 requires that the Transportation Security Administration certify that Cuban airports provide adequate security screening of passengers before allowing flights between the United States and Cuba. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10), U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-8) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) joined Representative Katko in introducing the legislation today.
Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and the western portion of Oswego County. For more information, please visit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko.
###