The second of what will no doubt be many bills addressing aviation security was introduced today in the House of Representatives by Mr. Castle (R-Del.). Representative Castle's bill, H.R.2957, would require flight students to pay for a criminal background check before taking lessons while capping the amount at $100 per student. The information gathered in this check is to be reviewed by the CIA and FBI. This bill is similar to that introduced on September 21 by Representative Ander Crenshaw, H.R.2932. However, AOPA maintains that it was the failure of these very government agencies already tasked with checking the backgrounds of people entering the United States that permitted the terrorists' entrance into the country. In a letter to Representative Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.), AOPA President Phil Boyer wrote that AOPA "would be pleased to work with you on proposals to enhance the procedures of the government agencies that allowed terrorists to enter the country and enroll in flight training," but he warned that the legislation as written would penalize "an entire industry that has no direct responsibility for who is allowed to enter the country...the financial burden of a background check will cause many of those with an interest in learning to fly to simply not try at all." [See also Rep. Ander Crenshaw's letter to Congress and AOPA President Phil Boyer's responses to Rep. Crenshaw and Rep. Castle.]
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