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Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act Of 2007

Floor Speech

Date: May 22, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Transportation


SECURING AIRCRAFT COCKPITS AGAINST LASERS ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - May 22, 2007)

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Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1615, Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act of 2007.

The bill amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft or at the flight of an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States.

In the last 15 years, the FAA reports over 500 incidents where people have aimed lasers into airplane cockpits. FAA research has shown that laser illuminations can temporarily disorient or disable a pilot during critical stages of a flight such as landing or take-off, and in some cases, may cause permanent damage.

This type of interference cannot be tolerated. This is a good, commonsense measure aimed at deterring and prosecuting those who commit a senseless act of potential sabotage.

I congratulate Congressman Keller, the sponsor of this legislation, for his leadership and dedication to this issue. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

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