In a move to safeguard the United States’ critical antiterrorism infrastructure, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) has spearheaded the introduction of the Secure Airports from Enemies (SAFE) Act.
This bipartisan legislation aims to prevent state sponsors of terrorism, such as the Cuban regime, from gaining access to sensitive security facilities at American airports.
The catalyst for this legislative action was the alarming incident where officials from the Castro regime were granted access to secure Transportation Security Administration (TSA) antiterrorism facilities at Miami International Airport on Cuban Independence Day 2024.
This decision, made by the Biden administration, was widely condemned by Salazar and her colleagues as a grave national security breach.
Recognizing the urgent need to address this vulnerability, Salazar has rallied a bipartisan coalition of Florida representatives, including Carlos Giménez, Mario Díaz-Balart, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Jared Moskowitz, as well as Senator Marco Rubio, to introduce the SAFE Act in both the House and Senate.
“The Biden Administration allowing the Cuban Regime to tour sensitive areas of Miami International Airport is a major security breach and should never have happened,” said Rep. Salazar. “Congress must step in to ensure we do not parade the Cuban Regime or any other State Sponsor of Terrorism around secure U.S facilities.”
This comprehensive bill seeks to ensure that America’s enemies are never again allowed to tour or gain insight into the critical security measures designed to protect air travelers and the nation’s aviation infrastructure.
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The United States’ antiterrorism infrastructure, particularly at its airports, is the backbone of the nation’s security against global threats.
These highly sensitive facilities house the latest technologies, protocols, and strategies employed by the TSA and other federal agencies to detect, deter, and respond to potential terrorist activities. Granting access to such areas to representatives of state sponsors of terrorism, like Cuba, poses a grave risk to the country’s safety and the well-being of its citizens.
Allowing officials from the Castro regime, a regime that is currently designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, to tour these secure facilities is akin to handing over valuable intelligence to America’s adversaries. It undermines the very purpose of these antiterrorism measures and jeopardizes the ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation’s aviation sector from the threat of transnational terrorism.
The Secure Airports from Enemies (SAFE) Act, introduced by Congresswoman Salazar and her bipartisan team, is a crucial step in reinforcing the security of America’s airports and the broader antiterrorism infrastructure. The key provisions of this legislation include:
- Prohibition on Access for State Sponsors of Terrorism: The SAFE Act explicitly prohibits individuals associated with countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism, such as Cuba, from accessing any U.S. airport or sensitive government facility. This ensures that these adversaries are never again granted the opportunity to gain insights into the nation’s security protocols.
- Enhanced Oversight and Accountability: The bill mandates increased scrutiny and reporting requirements for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding any instances of access granted to representatives of state sponsors of terrorism. This enhanced oversight will help prevent future breaches and ensure the strict enforcement of the law.
- Bipartisan Support and Collaboration: The SAFE Act has garnered support from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, reflecting the bipartisan consensus on the importance of safeguarding America’s antiterrorism infrastructure. This collaborative approach strengthens the legislation’s chances of successful passage and implementation.
- Deterrence and Consequences: The SAFE Act sends a clear message to state sponsors of terrorism that attempts to infiltrate or gain access to sensitive U.S. facilities will not be tolerated. It establishes strong penalties and consequences for any violations, serving as a robust deterrent against such actions.
The SAFE Act extends beyond the immediate concerns of airport security and antiterrorism infrastructure. It also carries broader implications for the United States’ stance against state sponsors of terrorism and its commitment to supporting pro-democracy voices worldwide.
Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, who serves as the co-chair of the Cuba Democracy Caucus, has expressed her deep concern over the threat posed to Floridians and U.S. national security by the actions of the Cuban regime.
“As co-chair of the Cuba Democracy Caucus, I’m deeply concerned by the threat posed to Floridians and U.S. national security by Cuban officials touring secure areas at Miami International Airport,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “I am proud to help lead this bill to protect Americans from transnational surveillance, repression, and terrorism, and safeguard our ongoing support for pro-democracy voices suffering under the cruelty of autocratic regimes like Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran.”
Similarly, Congressman Moskowitz has highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to airport security, noting that it is nonsensical to grant access to “officials from terrorist sponsoring countries” to sensitive areas of U.S. airports. This sentiment underscores the broader imperative to address the systemic challenges posed by state sponsors of terrorism and to bolster the nation’s overall security posture.
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