U.S. House Approves Bill Addressing Proliferation Of Shoulder-Fired Weapon Systems
Washington, D.C. - Legislation that will provide interim protections for commercial aircraft from shoulder-fired missiles was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.
H.R. 4056, the "Commercial Aviation MANPADS Defense Act of 2004" (CAMDA), was approved by a 423 to 0 vote.
CAMDA was introduced in the House by:
- U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-FL), Chairman, House Aviation Subcommittee
- U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Democrat, House Aviation Subcommittee
- U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY)"There are two significant threats to commercial aviation today - explosives carried on-board a civil aircraft and shoulder-fired missiles," said Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Mica during the floor debate.
"The legislation before us addresses one of those issues - the growing terrorist MANPADS threat - on four fronts: first, FAA expedited certification of anti-missile system currently being developed; second, increasing multi-national treaties and agreements to stem MANPADS proliferation; third, encouraging MANPADS black-market acquisition programs; and fourth, promoting ground-based systems."
Highlights Of H.R. 4056
- Encourages the President to pursue strong international diplomatic and cooperative efforts, including multilateral and bilateral treaties, to limit the availability, transfer and proliferation of MANPADS and to seek the destruction of excess, obsolete and illicit MANPADS.
- Requires the FAA to, when appropriate, expedite their airworthiness certification of the missile defense systems for commercial aircraft and to avoid duplicating the efforts taken by DHS during the missile defense system R & D program.
- Encourages the President to continue programs to reduce the number of MANPADS worldwide.
- Requires DHS to report to Congress, within one year, on the vulnerability assessment reports they are conducting at U.S. airports and any ground-based defense policies or procedures recommended through that process.
Availability Of Shoulder-Fired Missiles Has Been Demonstrated Repeatedly
"While it may be difficult to attack domestic aviation in light of the security measures we have put into place, the availability of these MANPAD weapons of terror is a cause for concern," Mica said.
"This has been demonstrated repeatedly, by the November 2002 attack in Kenya, by the November 2003 attack on the DHL plane in Baghdad, and also by the August 2003 arrest in New York City of three men accused in a plot to smuggle shoulder-fired missiles into the United States.
"Last year, at the direction of Congress, DHS began an aggressive research and development program to assess the viability of anti-missile technology for use in commercial passenger aircraft.
"The Administration's current 100 million dollar R & D program and efforts to work through issues unique to the commercial aviation system are making significant progress.
"We expect a recommendation on the viability, feasibility, and costs associated with these systems sometime next year. After that, these systems will need to be expeditiously FAA-certified for installation on passenger aircraft.
"It is also necessary that we keep these destructive weapons out of the hand of terrorists. Other alternatives to protect our airlines and our airports must also be explored. That is why, I, along with Mr. DeFazio and Mr. Israel, introduced H.R. 4056. This bill is an interim solutions measure. It encourages continued actions to reduce the number of these weapons that are available to those who would do us harm.
"We have worked closely with the International Relations Committee and Chairman Hyde to strengthen and clarify the provisions in the bill dealing with international cooperative efforts.
"H.R. 4056 makes clear that the Administration must take additional steps to reduce the security risks created by shoulder-launched missile systems.
"It encourages strong international diplomatic and cooperative efforts to limit the proliferation of MANPADS, as well as the continuation of programs to reduce the number of MANPADS worldwide.
"The bill also requires the FAA to expedite their airworthiness certification of the missile defense systems for commercial aircraft.
"And, finally, H.R. 4056 requires DHS to report to Congress, within one year, on the vulnerability assessment reports they are conducting at U.S. airports and on how they are responding to the GAO's recommendations to prevent the proliferation of MANPADS," Mica said.