" MICA: Well, I think, again, we`ve fallen into some complacency. And I think the administration wants to snap people out of that. And two ways to do that is to do exactly what they`ve done, is give some more specific information.
I think we heard a lot more in the last few days about specific threats, the meeting of the Hezbollah and the al Qaeda and other terrorist groups reportedly in Lebanon, revelations that there are coming together an unprecedented conglomeration of terrorist groups plotting against us, saying that we can`t stop terrorists who may be hell bent on blowing themselves up. Those are the realities we face.
KEYES: Well, what about two things? First, we just had a discussion about arming pilots in the cockpit, which I think is looked upon by some folks as one of those areas where you do what you can to try to reduce the risk and so forth. And yet, the administration, the Department of Transportation, has nixed that.
It`s almost as if we`re in a -- the people are in a damned if you do, damned if you don`t position. Sit there, be very afraid, don`t do anything. And when you ask for steps that might help you to defend yourselves, we`re not going to let you do that. What sense does that make?
MICA: Well, I think they erred. I think the airlines did an effective lobbying job on the administration. For some reason, I think they`re their own worst enemy in this case, because you want people to feel secure.
The airline pilots see all the gaps in our current aviation security system. And I can tell you, I chair that subcommittee, there are many of them. And I`m concerned. I was sort of neutral on this to begin with. Now I`m a very rabid supporter because they see the gaps, I see the gaps.
We have an airline security system in an incredible transition the next year-and-a-half, a lot of things slipping by every week. And we have got to do -- we have got to put every line of defense in place.
KEYES: We`ve only got 30 seconds left. What do you think are the prospects, Congressman, that Congress will take action to permit this possibility?
MICA: Well, again, I chair Aviation Subcommittee. I`ll take the bill up. If Congress is in this Thursday, we may go out a day early, we`ll take it up and pass it out of subcommittee. If not, as soon as we get back, we will pass it out. And I`ll have bipartisan strong support for the measure.
KEYES: Well, thank you both for joining us tonight. Obviously, these are issues we`re going to be coming to again and again as we move through this period and judgments are made about what`s to be told, what`s not to be told.
I think a lot of folks will be more comfortable when it`s clear that there is an effective, proactive approach to this that also seeks to visit harm upon the terrorists before they act against us. And that`s something that I think the administration might want to take a look at, sharing with us the ideas they have along those lines
There was also a segment as it relates to immigration...but I haven't gotten thru that yet. I wanted to get this posted because I hope Congress gets legislation enacted to allow the pilots to be armed.