SENATOR COLLINS' REACTION TO NEWS OF BOMBING PLOT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, the Ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, issued the following reaction the news that a plot by al-Qaida's affiliate in Yemen to destroy a U.S.-bound aircraft was thwarted. 

"I was briefed this afternoon by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano about the thwarted plot, emanating from Yemen, for a suicide bomber to bring a non-metal explosive device onto an aircraft bound for America.  It is my understanding that the FBI has possession of the improvised explosive device and is analyzing it. While we are still learning the details, this plot is yet another example of the determination of al-Qaida and its affiliates to attack America.

"It's a credit to the intelligence-based, layered approach that we are taking for airline security that the plot was discovered and thwarted before it could be carried out.  While this plot didn't reach the stage of passenger screening, TSA has put in place a number of counter-measures since 2009 to minimize the risk of an explosive device getting onto a U.S.-bound plane. 

"Since 9 -11, we have initiated many reforms to ensure that government agencies work together to detect threats to our country.  This latest plot reminds us that our government must continually evaluate the effectiveness of our security strategies and put information into the hands of those who can take action to detect and disrupt attacks before they occur."