Rep. Dent's Bill to Strengthen Homeland Security Aviation Assets Passes House

Press Release

Rep. Dent's bill to strengthen homeland security aviation assets passes House

U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent's legislation, H.R. 1333, The Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Support Act, was passed by the House in a bipartisan vote on Wednesday. This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to determine how the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) can help support homeland security missions such as border security and search-and-rescue.

Congressman Dent thanked his colleagues for the strong bipartisan support on this important, common-sense security measure.

"As we saw after September 11th and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, in a catastrophic event, this country must be able to dramatically increase the number of response assets while ensuring that Federal, State, and local resources are coordinated," Congressman Dent said. "By examining how various resources - like the Civil Air Patrol - may contribute to a mission prior to an event, we will help strengthen our nation's security and resiliency."

Congressman Dent introduced HR 1333 in early 2007 after he learned that U.S. Border Patrol agents lacked sufficient aerial assets to help identify and stop breaches at the border, where illegal immigrants, drug smugglers and other criminals could gain entrance. The Civil Air Patrol has some 57,000 volunteers and 500 planes across the country that "stand ready to support the Nation's homeland security mission," according to Congressman Dent.

CAP is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, and it strongly supported Congressman Dent's bill. The organization has a long history of service to the Nation. CAP was founded at the outbreak of the Second World War, during which it served as a vital watchdog along the coastlines of America, protecting us from the threat of German U-boats that patrolled our shores. Since then, the Civil Air Patrol has regularly assisted States in search and rescue operations and emergency response.

Congressman Dent is ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, which approved this bill on April 30.

This bill passed unanimously out of the both the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (May 15) and the full House Homeland Security Committee (May 20). Congressman Dent is a member of both committees.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Should it pass in the Senate, it will be forwarded to the President's desk for signature.

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