Restrictive travel bill to pass

By: Max Bruns ~Staff Writer~

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Photo courtesy of telegraph.co.uk | Republican candidate Donald Trump promises to tighten Muslim immigration into the U.S. if he becomes the next president.

Several weeks ago, Donald Trump was heavily criticized for his scathing comments about the maneuverability of Muslims in and out of the U.S.

He promised America that upon his inauguration, movement of people of Muslim faith would be heavily restricted and many American- Muslims would be “sent back” to their home countries.

Much of the criticism of Trump’s statements comes from the groundlessness of fear he espoused in his rhetoric, which include misinterpretations of current international events.

The sitting government is making a more calculated restriction of movement.

The Senate passed a bill today by a 95-3 majority that restricts freedom of travel through airports. The bill is in direct response to the terrorist bombing attacks of an airpot and train stations in Brussels.

The response by the Senate constitutes the most comprehensive review of security through airports in a decade, although the House has stopped its passage due to discrepancies with privatization of air traffic control.

The Senate was able to bypass the discrepancies, and the restrictive measures now include an increase in teams of bomb-sniffing dogs, a higher level of inspection for bags at baggage claims and a longer vetting process for all airport employees.

“Travel [will become] more safe and secure and more passenger friendly,” John Thune, chairman of the Senate Science, Commerce and Transportation Committee said.

Some of the personal perks for passengers will be monetary compensation for lost baggage and improvements to airports.

The bill also provides a provision for the extension of the Federal Aviation Administration’s jurisdiction up until September 2017.

Right now, that jurisdiction is due to expire on July 15. This is the issue the House has with the bill.

Their dispute over privatization of air traffic control is holding up the progress of a bill that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “will make important strides for out national security and for travelers. It does so withour increasing fees or taxes. It does so without imposing heavy-handed regulations that can stifle consumers’ choice.”

If the bill passes, the largest airport security increase in a decade will take place in response to an international act of terrorism.