Partners for Aviation Security Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3144, the Partners for Aviation Security Act of 2015.

Mr. Speaker, this important bipartisan legislation ensures that the critical decisions affecting the transportation security of the United States are not made in a vacuum without the input and perspective of relevant transportation stakeholders.

Unfortunately, the Transportation Security Administration has a troublesome history when making sweeping policy changes at the expense of the traveling public and other affected parties, such as aviation workers, airports, airlines, vendors, and law enforcement.

Specifically, H.R. 3144 requires the Administrator of TSA to consult, when possible, with the Aviation Security Advisory Committee before determining whether to modify the prohibited items lists for passenger aircraft.

In the 113th Congress, the Subcommittee on Transportation Security conducted oversight of efforts to modify the prohibited items list after TSA made a sweeping decision to do so without appropriate prior consultation with stakeholders. By codifying the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, or ASAC, the committee has a proven record of ensuring that TSA consults with stakeholders on important matters of transportation security when appropriate.

This commonsense legislation adds to this record. Another important provision of this bill requires that the Secretary of Homeland Security submit a report to both Congress and the Transportation Security Oversight Board, including important information on the Board's composition and activities. This report may include recommendations for Congress and the Department to improve the Board and ensure that it is meeting the original intent of providing review to transportation security-related regulations and making a meaningful contribution to the security of our Nation's critical transportation systems.

Each and every day, Mr. Speaker, there are new and evolving threats to the security of America's traveling public, and it is the important work of the Department of Homeland Security and TSA to ensure that travelers are safe and to mitigate threats against transportation. In this regard, it is of the highest importance that relevant partners in transportation security are engaged and included in ongoing dialogue on important policy matters being considered.

I wish to thank the chairman of the full committee, Mr. McCaul, as well as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, Mr. Katko, for their work in bringing this bill to the floor today and conducting critical oversight efforts to secure America's transportation systems. Additionally, I wish to thank the bill's author, Congressman Payne, for his hard work and dedication to this issue. Finally, I would like to thank the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Thompson, for supporting this important legislation.

Collaboration is the key to effective security, and it is the prerogative of the Committee on Homeland Security to ensure that open lines of communication exist between stakeholders, TSA, and DHS.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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