Schumer: London Is In Our Prayers, U.S. Must Beef Up Mass Transit Security Immediately

SCHUMER: LONDON IS IN OUR PRAYERS, U.S. MUST BEEF UP MASS TRANSIT SECURITY IMMEDIATELY

Terrorist Attacks on London's Mass Transit System, Following Madrid Train Bombing Should be Another Wake-Up Call for U.S. Homeland Security Efforts

Senator Plans to Offer Amendment to Homeland Security Spending Bill Next Week to Drastically Improve Funding Streams for Rail Security, Mass Transit Security, Including Subways and Buses

Schumer Calls on Development and Installation of Smoke Detector-Like Explosive Devices in Mass Transit Systems

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer released the following statement today on the terrible terrorist attacks in London today:

"The people of London are in our prayers today. After September 11, Americans and the entire world's people stood behind New Yorkers - I know that we are going to do the same for the people of London. Following the attack on Madrid's rail system, the terrible terrorist attacks in London is our second wake-up call to greatly improve our rail and mass transit security here in America. It is clear that we're not doing close to enough and must do more. The soft underbelly of buses and subways and railroads are fully exposed to similar terrorist attacks unless we take real steps to beef up mass transit security immediately.

"When the Homeland Security spending bill comes to the Senate floor next week, I intend to offer amendments to drastically increase the resources for and focus on rail and mass transit security, including New York's subways and buses.

Schumer's amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill would double the $100 million proposed for both mass transit and rail security and allocate $100 million for each. The proposed amendment would also double funding for bus security improvements from $10 million to $20 million.

Schumer has repeatedly urged the Administration to augment rail and mass transit security. Schumer called for the federal government to accelerate the development of detectors for rail and subway stations. Currently, individual transportation systems in major U.S. cities are developing their own detection devices, but Schumer said today that a coordinated effort funded by the federal government is needed to overcome the many technological barriers that face scientists and engineers working on such systems.

Schumer is a lead sponsor of the Transportation Security Improvements Act of 2005 (S.1052, 109th) which would spend over $750 million over three years for rail/bus security, along with billions more dollars to beef up security for all modes of transportation across the county.

Schumer has also co-sponsored the Public Transportation Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (S.2884, 108th), which would have given $1 billion over three years for mass transit security, including authorizations for security assessments, grants, and research and development for mass transit security technology.

Finally, Schumer cosponsored legislation last Congress to allot $1.2 billion over five years for improvements to passenger and freight rail systems throughout the country. The legislation would have directed the Homeland Security Department to assess security risks to freight and passenger rail and develop recommendations for securing them. Schumer's measure would have required the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to study the cost and feasibility of screening all passengers, baggage and mail that travels on Amtrak trains, and would have also required the department to conduct a pilot program to randomly screen passengers and baggage at as many as 10 rail stations.

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