Lower Bucks Today

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Senator Bob Casey (PA) sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker calling for the swift implementation of the bipartisan Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act. This act was signed into law as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

In a joint statement, Congressman Fitzpatrick and Senator Casey said: “Over two decades have passed since September 11th, 2001, and nearly thirteen years since the policy requiring secondary cockpit barriers was introduced in Congress. The families of 9/11 victims have waited far too long for their government to act on requiring these lifesaving barriers. Alongside the indomitable Ellen Saracini, we have fought tirelessly to safeguard our skies and ensure the horrific events of 9/11 are never able to happen again. While we celebrate the monumental achievement of the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act finally being signed into law, our resolve to secure its swift and effective implementation remains unwavering. The time to act is now; we cannot afford any further delay.”

Ellen Saracini, widow of Captain Victor Saracini of United Flight 175, stated: "I applaud Representative Fitzpatrick and Senator Casey for their efforts to ensure families like my own, directly affected by the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, have a seat at the table where recommendations for a rule on the installation of secondary cockpit barriers will be made. Our voices deserve to be heard and the FAA Administrator now has the authority to guarantee that we are not left out of the decision-making process. I hope that Administrator Whitaker heeds this call from our bipartisan champions in Congress to keep those impacted the most by 9/11 at the forefront of this rulemaking process."

Section 350(a) requires that within six months of enactment, an aviation rulemaking committee (the "Committee") be convened by the Administrator. This Committee is tasked with reviewing and developing recommendations for installing secondary cockpit barriers on mainstream commercial passenger aircraft not already covered by other regulations or proposed regulations. While this provision provides a statutory deadline for action, it does not prevent swift implementation.

Section 350(b) mandates that members appointed to this Committee include representatives from mainline air carriers, regional air carriers, aircraft manufacturers, passenger aircraft pilots (represented by a labor group), flight attendants (represented by a labor group), airline passengers, and other stakeholders deemed appropriate by the Administrator. Rep. Fitzpatrick and Senator Casey urge Administrator Whitaker to appoint an additional representative from key constituencies: families of victims from September 11th.

Additionally, Section 202 of the FAA Reauthorization Act requires appointing an individual as Assistant Administrator for Rulemaking and Regulatory Improvement. Rep. Fitzpatrick and Senator Casey call on the FAA to leverage all available resources so that once recommendations are made by Section 350's Committee, a rule requiring secondary cockpit barriers on covered aircraft is promptly proposed and finalized.

The Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act mandates installing secondary cockpit barriers in all mainstream commercial passenger aircraft to ensure American safety against potential terrorist attacks similar to those on September 11th.

Named in honor of Captain Victor Saracini who lost his life when his plane was hijacked during September 11th attacks, this legislation was signed into law by President Biden on May 16th, 2024.