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.