{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-bill-improve-safety-air-travel-clears-committee-bi-partisan-support", "Bilirakis Bill to Improve Safety of Air Travel Clears Committee with Bi-partisan Support", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC:\u00a0 Today, Congressman Bilirakis\u2019s Security Assessment Feasibility for Equipment Testing and Evaluation of Capabilities for our Homeland (SAFE TECH) Act unanimously passed the Homeland Security Committee with bi-partisan support.\u00a0 This important legislation stems from the Congressman\u2019s recent Congressional Delegation trip during which he had the opportunity to review screening procedures at major EU hubs like Amsterdam and Frankfurt for inbound travel to the United States.\u00a0 Technical standards for safety and operating procedures at international airports are set by international agreements.\u00a0 The standards set are generally broad; leaving vulnerabilities through inconsistencies with international partners.\u00a0 This bill will address this concern, and improve the safety of air travel for all passengers.\u00a0 Specifically, this legislation will provide an avenue for 3rd party testing of innovative technology screening capabilities to enhance airport security.\u00a0 It will also assess the feasibility of linking compatible security technology utilized by the United States and international allies in order to augment screening check points. This coordinated collaboration is an essential element of strengthening global security.\u00a0\n\u201cI have always contended that if we are not safe, then nothing else matters.\u00a0 During my recent fact finding mission, I was startled by the lack of consistency in international standards and gaps in technology that support precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety. I am convinced this is something that needs to be immediately rectified, and I am pleased this important bill is moving expeditiously through the legislative process,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-bill-improve-safety-air-travel-clears-committee-bi-partisan-support"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7023228574544191, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}