Republicans Introduce Bill to Ban Terrorist Sponsors from Sensitive Airport Areas

In response to outrage over a Cuban delegation's tour of secure areas at Miami International Airport, Florida lawmakers are introducing legislation that would prohibit officials from countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism from accessing sensitive parts of airports.

Amid growing concerns over national security, Republican lawmakers in Florida are introducing legislation to prohibit officials from countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism from visiting sensitive areas of airports. The Secure Airports From Enemies (SAFE) Act, introduced by Rep. Carlos Gimenez and Sen. Marco Rubio, would block the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from permitting access to secure areas to officials of such governments.

The move comes after a controversial tour of Miami International Airport by Cuban officials last month. The tour, which reportedly included access to sensitive areas such as a security checkpoint and a baggage screen area, sparked outrage from Republicans and some Democrats in the state.

"President Biden & Secretary Mayorkas granted agents of the Castro regime access to our sensitive TSA facilities at Miami International Airport. This pathetic and dangerous decision undermines our national security and puts passengers in serious risk," Gimenez said in a statement. "It's absurd America has hosted officials from nations currently designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism. We must ensure this administration is not enabling foreign operatives to learn of our aviation security measures aimed at keeping Americans safe."

Rubio, who co-chairs the Cuba Democracy Caucus, expressed concern about the threat posed by Cuban officials touring secure areas at Miami International Airport. "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," he said.

Rep. Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Florida, is also co-sponsoring the bill. "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," she said.

A TSA spokesperson told Fox News last month that it "routinely works with all countries with direct flights to the United States." However, the spokesperson emphasized that Cuban officials did not access sensitive technology or systems and received a general overview of security operations, including equipment that anyone screened can see.

The State Department, which coordinates the visits with TSA, said that Cuba started sending officials to the U.S. in 2011 and that these visits have continued to the present day. "Aviation security is clearly in the national interest," a spokesperson said. "Given Cuba's proximity and the existence of direct flights to and from our countries, U.S. and Cuban authorities must collaborate while each working to ensure the safety and security of travelers at airports."

The SAFE Act has received bipartisan support, with co-sponsors including Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Mario Diaz-Balart, Jared Moskowitz, and Maria Elvira Salazar. If passed, the legislation would close a security loophole that could potentially allow terrorist sponsors to gather intelligence on aviation security measures.