Scott votes to strengthen airport security in FAA Reauthorization Bill

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) voted for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act (S. 2658) which includes bipartisan airport security and passenger-friendly provisions, as well as aviation safety reforms.  Senator Scott released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passage of the bill by a margin of 95-3:

“I am pleased the Senate came together today to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act, which  includes a number of passenger-friendly provisions that will make flying easier for all travelers,” Senator Scott said.  “The bill ensures that airlines are more transparent about everything from fees to delays, while it also protects air services in rural areas and improves access for Americans with disabilities. These provisions are important for passengers and airports in communities like Greenville-Spartanburg, Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and all around the state, which serve millions of passengers each year.

Scott continued, “Additionally, protecting Americans as they fly both domestically and internationally is incredibly important, especially in the face of new attacks by terrorist groups around the world.  These terror groups’ desire to disrupt our security and our lives means we must work even harder to implement policy that will protect American families. Today’s vote meets these growing concerns with strong new security measures that directly address potential threats to airline passengers.”

The bill includes several measures to bolster airport security for passengers by:

• Improving airport employee vetting to ensure dangerous individuals don’t have access to secure areas
• Expanding enrollment in the TSA PreCheck program so passengers move through security lines more quickly
• Enhancing security for international flights bound for the U.S.