Langhorne, PA—Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) released the following statements after the President signed the Saracini Aviation Safety Act of 2018 into law:
“Last Friday, the President signed a bipartisan FAA reauthorization measure that protects passengers, pilots, and flight attendants by mandating the installation of secondary barriers on all new commercial aircraft. Due to the tireless work of Ellen Saracini, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, and Senator Pat Toomey, The Saracini Safety Aviation Act is finally law,” said Fitzpatrick. “This critical measure seeks to prevent our aircraft from being hijacked again. I am deeply appreciative of the dedication of Ellen, Josh, and my bipartisan colleagues who worked fervently to enact this measure. American citizens are undoubtedly safer. We will continue to fight until all current passenger aircraft contain secondary barriers.”
“On 9/11, terrorists stormed the cockpit knowing that the doors would be opened early in the flight. And until today, that flight deck remained vulnerable when the cockpit had to open,” said Gottheimer. “Ellen Saracini's bipartisan bill is now law and will help prevent another tragedy like 9/11 from ever occurring again — and keep terrorists out of the cockpit. I'm proud to get it done alongside Congressman Fitzpatrick, Senator Toomey, and the Administration.”
“More than 17 years after terrorists breached the cockpit of my husband’s airplane on September 11, 2001, our skies are still susceptible to similar acts of terrorism. It is my mission to work with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick to ensure we are doing everything we can to negate the known vulnerability on the flight deck aboard our nation’s airliners because, without secondary barriers, we are just as vulnerable today as we were on that fateful day,” said Ellen Saracini. “Congressmen Fitzpatrick and Gottheimer, along with Senators Toomey and Casey, have led the charge in Congress to make our skies safer. Our mission will continue until ALL commercial aircraft contain secondary barriers to protect passengers and crew. We will not stop fighting until common sense legislation is achieved.”
The legislation is named in honor of pilot Captain Victor J. Saracini, who was killed when terrorists hijacked United Flight 175 on September 11, 2001. Saracini’s widow, Ellen, is a leading advocate on the issue since her husband’s death.
A provision in the FAA Reauthorization Act requires the installation of secondary barriers on new passenger aircraft. These inexpensive, light weight wire-mesh gates would be installed between the passenger cabin and the cockpit door to block access to the flight deck whenever the cockpit door is opened during flight for pilots’ meals, restroom use, and other reasons.
The bill overwhelming passed the House last month. Watch Ellen Saracini and Reps. Fitzpatrick and Gottheimer immediately after the House vote HERE.
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