The U.S. Senate has passed legislation on aviation security that would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop a “standardized threat and vulnerability assessment program” for general aviation (GA) airports within one year. If the bill becomes law, the TSA would also be directed to consider providing grants to GA airports for security upgrades.
Similar legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year. The House and Senate versions must now be reconciled and then go to the White House. President Bush has threatened to veto the legislation if the final version allows TSA screeners to unionize, which the Senate bill does. Congress is not likely to override a Presidential veto and the bill would then die.
