"In addition to defeating Daesh abroad and controlling our borders, we must enact effective measures to secure our homeland. The security measures now included in the FAA bill are a strong step toward that goal," Senator John Thune said after the passage of his amendment.
The amendment includes a provision to safeguard against insider threats in airports, including enhanced screening of airport employees with access to secure areas.
Thune cited expert opinion that the terrorist attack that took down the Russian airline over Egypt last November was facilitated by an airport employee.
The amendment would also allow the United States to donate unneeded security equipment to foreign airports with direct flights to the United States.
In addition, the Senate overwhelmingly approved an amendment to strengthen the "soft," unsecured areas around airports, introduced by Senator Martin Heinrich.
"Airports, train stations, and bus depots are the places we rely on to go about our daily lives. That is why it is so critical to ensure that we make every possible effort to secure them in the face of international terrorism," Heinrich stated.
The amendment would allocate new funds to train law enforcement in active shooter situations. It would increase the number of visible deterrents outside of security checkpoints, such as more Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and bomb-sniffing dogs.
The measure addresses renewed concerns following the March terrorist attacks which targeted unsecured locations at a Brussels train station and the perimeter of the Zaventem airport.
The amendments are part of the FAA Reauthorization Act, a wide-ranging transportation bill dealing with security, new drone regulations and integrating new technologies into the agency. The complete bill is scheduled for a final vote later on Thursday.
