Lower Bucks Today

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) has announced a significant victory for aviation safety. Provisions from his Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act were included in the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which passed the House today with overwhelming support. Senator Bob Casey sponsored companion legislation which passed in the Senate last week.

The bill includes Sec. 350, language from the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act, which mandates the installation of secondary cockpit barriers in all commercial passenger aircraft. This measure is aimed at ensuring the safety of Americans and fortifying defenses against potential terrorist attacks similar to those on September 11th. The legislation has successfully passed in both chambers and will now be signed into law by the President.

The Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act was named in honor of Congressman Fitzpatrick’s constituent, Captain Victor Saracini, who tragically lost his life when his plane was hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001.

Since taking office, Congressman Fitzpatrick has been working alongside Captain Saracini’s widow, Ellen, to enhance the security of our skies and aircraft for pilots, flight crews, and passengers. Despite obstacles from the aviation industry impeding the retrofitting of existing aircraft fleets with this essential safety feature, Fitzpatrick and Ellen remained persistent in their pursuit to ensure all aircraft fleets are held to the same safety standards.

“This victory stands as a significant milestone in improving aviation safety while honoring the legacy of Captain Victor Saracini,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “I am profoundly grateful for Ellen's resilience and unwavering dedication to being an unrelenting champion for air safety.”

“Twenty-three years after the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, Congress has finally enacted a requirement for secondary cockpit barriers to be installed on all passenger aircraft operating in the United States," said Ellen Saracini.

“For the first time, all passenger planes in the U.S. will have secondary barriers to keep Americans safe from the threat of hijacking,” said Senator Bob Casey.