Aviation security.

AVIATION SECURITY. A bill (H.R. 2649) introduced by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) would amend federal transportation law to increase security measures in various sectors of the aviation industry.

The bill would require that the Homeland Security Department establish a system to inspect all of the cargo transported on passenger aircraft. This provision would apply to both domestic and foreign carriers.

The bill would also mandate that airport operators complete vulnerability assessments of airport facilities and develop plans for addressing those vulnerabilities. As part of the plan to improve access control, the bill would require that the government issue regulations setting out standards for background screening of airport personnel and metal detector screening of all airport workers. The regulations would also set out rules for prohibiting any person other than an airport employee from obtaining a security badge that would provide access to the secure areas of the airport.

Under the bill, all flight attendants would undergo mandatory basic security training. In addition, the bill sets out whistleblower protection for airport workers, including those employed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

H.R. 2649 has no cosponsors and has been referred to the House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Security, and Cybersecurity.