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TRANSPORTATION SECURITY TRANSPARENCY IMPROVEMENT ACT
Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1871) to improve the understanding and clarity of Transportation Security Administration policies, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1871
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act''.
SEC. 2. SENSITIVE SECURITY INFORMATION; INTERNATIONAL
AVIATION SECURITY.
(a)Sensitive Security Information.--
(1)In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shall--
(A) ensure clear and consistent designation of ``Sensitive Security Information'', including reasonable security justifications for such designation;
(B) develop and implement a schedule to regularly review and update, as necessary, TSA Sensitive Security Information Identification guidelines;
(C) develop a tracking mechanism for all Sensitive Security Information redaction and designation challenges;
(D) document justifications for changes in position regarding Sensitive Security Information redactions and designations, and make such changes accessible to TSA personnel for use with relevant stakeholders, including air carriers, airport operators, surface transportation operators, and State and local law enforcement, as necessary; and
(E) ensure that TSA personnel are adequately trained on appropriate designation policies.
(2)Stakeholder outreach.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shall conduct outreach to relevant stakeholders described in paragraph
(1)(D) that regularly are granted access to Sensitive Security Information to raise awareness of the TSA's policies and guidelines governing the designation and use of Sensitive Security Information.
(b)International Aviation Security.--
(1)In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall develop and implement guidelines with respect to last point of departure airports to--
(A) ensure the inclusion, as appropriate, of air carriers and other transportation security stakeholders in the development and implementation of security directives and emergency amendments;
(B) document input provided by air carriers and other transportation security stakeholders during the security directive and emergency amendment, development, and implementation processes;
(C) define a process, including time frames, and with the inclusion of feedback from air carriers and other transportation security stakeholders, for cancelling or incorporating security directives and emergency amendments into security programs;
(D) conduct engagement with foreign partners on the implementation of security directives and emergency amendments, as appropriate, including recognition if existing security measures at a last point of departure airport are found to provide commensurate security as intended by potential new security directives and emergency amendments; and
(E) ensure that new security directives and emergency amendments are focused on defined security outcomes.
(2)Briefing to congress.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall brief the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the guidelines described in paragraph (1).
(3)Decisions not subject to judicial review.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any action of the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration under paragraph (1) is not subject to judicial review.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Barragan) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
{time} 1245
General Leave
Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1871, the Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act. This bipartisan legislation, as introduced by my colleague from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop), will ensure consistent standards and improve procedures for designating sensitive security information at TSA.
Sensitive security information, known as SSI, is information that if publicly released would be detrimental to transportation security. Just like with classified information, those who are granted access to SSI have a special obligation to safeguard it and face penalties if they fail to do so. Given these stakes, it is important that TSA apply consistent standards when designating SSI. This bill will not only require TSA to maintain those clear standards, but also develop a schedule to regularly review its SSI guidelines, develop a tracking mechanism for SSI redaction challenges, and conduct additional outreach with aviation stakeholders on SSI guidelines. These reforms will improve transparency at TSA.
H.R. 1871 has the potential to enhance TSA's work to secure last-
points-of-departure airports by requiring TSA to include air carriers and other stakeholders in the development of security directives and emergency amendments affecting such airports and to engage with foreign partners on their implementation.
By including industry and international perspectives in this process, H.R. 1871 will ensure TSA's efforts to secure flights from foreign airports are effective.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1871, the Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act. Clarity and transparency are important everywhere in government, and the TSA is no exception. This bill will ensure that TSA creates a more consistent and transparent system for determining what qualifies as sensitive security information, or SSI. It further requires TSA to work closely with transportation stakeholders in the development, review, and implementation of new requirements, known as security directives, or SDs, and emergency amendments, or EAs.
It is critical that TSA works hand in glove with our transportation industry to ensure the safest, most efficient travel for all Americans.
Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 1871, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from New York closes. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop).
Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
The Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act is a commonsense solution to strengthen national security and promote communication with stakeholders. Involving stakeholders in policymaking is the most effective way to implement trustworthy and efficient decisions. As any stakeholder will tell you, information sharing is critical.
My bill will improve consistency in TSA's designation and redaction of materials as sensitive security information, as well as address the security directive and emergency amendment process and its impacts on international aviation security. My bill will also ensure clear and consistent designations and emphasize TSA's outreach with carriers and local law enforcement to promote information sharing.
Finally, the Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act will instruct the TSA Administrator to implement guidelines to ensure all security and safety measures are being met. This legislation will undoubtedly improve aviation security by ensuring TSA clearly communicates critical security information to transportation security stakeholders.
Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I urge Members to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
The Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act is a bipartisan and commonsense bill that will improve TSA's operations.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1871, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Barragan) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1871.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion are postponed.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 127
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