US Senators Reach Deal To Improve Airport Security

April 7, 2016

The US Senate has agreed to boost security at airports in the aftermath of the Brussels attacks, according to a media report.

Reuters reported a source as saying that agreement had been reached to amend an FAA bill with provisions that would bolster the vetting of airport employees with access to secure areas and approve the Transportation Security Administration to donate security equipment to foreign airports with direct flights to the United States.

Negotiations continue over other security items that could also be added, including federal grant money for training state and local law enforcement to respond to emergencies involving armed attacks, Reuters reported.

The deal is being brokered by Senator John Thune of South Dakota, Republican chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and the panel's senior Democrat, Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.

In coming days, the Senate is expected to vote on a bill which would renew the FAA's programmes until September 2017.

The US House of Representatives has been considering its own FAA legislation. That bill also calls for the privatisation of the US air traffic control system, a measure that is not in the Senate's legislation.

(Reuters)