Intel on 'imminent threat' drove airline electronics ban, top lawmaker says

Strong intelligence pointing to an "imminent threat" drove the decision in March to ban large electronics in carry-on baggage on flights into the US, according to a senior House Republican. "Specific and credible intelligence that there was an imminent threat to our aviation sector" was behind the decision, House Homeland Security chairman Mike McCaul said. "I think the administration took very responsible actions". The ban on electronics larger than iPhones applied to 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa. During congressional testimony April 5, Homeland Security secretary John Kelly did not rule out expanding the restrictions. "It's real. I think it's getting realer, so to speak," Kelly said. "We may take measures in the not-too-distant future to expand the number of airports." <br/>