[House Hearing, 117 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                  EXAMINING DHS'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE 
                PROCESSING FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

=======================================================================
                             FIELD HEARING

                               BEFORE THE

                     COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                    ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

                             SECOND SESSION

                               __________

                              MAY 24, 2022

                               __________

                           Serial No. 117-57

                               __________

       Printed for the use of the Committee on Homeland Security
                                     

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        Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov

                               __________
                               

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE                    
48-473 PDF                 WASHINGTON : 2022                     
          
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                     COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY

               Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi, Chairman
Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas            John Katko, New York
James R. Langevin, Rhode Island      Michael T. McCaul, Texas
Donald M. Payne, Jr., New Jersey     Clay Higgins, Louisiana
J. Luis Correa, California           Michael Guest, Mississippi
Elissa Slotkin, Michigan             Dan Bishop, North Carolina
Emanuel Cleaver, Missouri            Jefferson Van Drew, New Jersey
Al Green, Texas                      Ralph Norman, South Carolina
Yvette D. Clarke, New York           Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa
Eric Swalwell, California            Diana Harshbarger, Tennessee
Dina Titus, Nevada                   Andrew S. Clyde, Georgia
Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey    Carlos A. Gimenez, Florida
Kathleen M. Rice, New York           Jake LaTurner, Kansas
Val Butler Demings, Florida          Peter Meijer, Michigan
Nanette Diaz Barragan, California    Kat Cammack, Florida
Josh Gottheimer, New Jersey          August Pfluger, Texas
Elaine G. Luria, Virginia            Andrew R. Garbarino, New York
Tom Malinowski, New Jersey
Ritchie Torres, New York
                       Hope Goins, Staff Director
                 Daniel Kroese, Minority Staff Director
                          Natalie Nixon, Clerk
                            
                            
                            C O N T E N T S

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                                                                   Page

                               STATEMENTS

The Honorable Bennie G. Thompson, a Representative in Congress 
  From the State of Mississippi, and Chairman, Committee on 
  Homeland Security:
  Oral Statement.................................................     1
  Prepared Statement.............................................     2
The Honorable Dina Titus, a Representative in Congress From the 
  State of Nevada:
  Oral Statement.................................................     2
  Prepared Statement.............................................     3
The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, a Representative in Congress 
  From the State of Texas:
  Prepared Statement.............................................     5

                               WITNESSES
                                Panel I

Mr. Carlos Martel, Director of Field Operations, Los Angeles 
  Field Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. 
  Department of Homeland Security:
  Oral Statement.................................................     7
  Prepared Statement.............................................     9
Ms. Karen R. Burke, Federal Security Director, Nevada, 
  Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of 
  Homeland Security:
  Oral Statement.................................................    14
  Prepared Statement.............................................    16

                                Panel II

Ms. Kate Wik, Chief Marketing Officer, Las Vegas Convention and 
  Visitors Authority:
  Oral Statement.................................................    29
  Prepared Statement.............................................    31
Ms. Rosemary A. Vassiliadis, Director of Aviation, Clark County 
  Department of Aviation:
  Oral Statement.................................................    34
  Prepared Statement.............................................    37

 
    EXAMINING DHS'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE PROCESSING FOR INTERNATIONAL 
                                VISITORS

                              ----------                              


                         Tuesday, May 24, 2022

                     U.S. House of Representatives,
                            Committee on Homeland Security,
                                                     Las Vegas, NV.
    The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 12:04 p.m., 
Commissioners Meeting Room, Harry Reid International Airport, 
Hon. Bennie G. Thompson [Chairman of the committee] presiding.
    Present: Representatives Thompson, Jackson Lee, Correa, 
Cleaver, Titus, Watson Coleman, Demings, and Langevin.
    Chairman Thompson. The Committee on Homeland Security will 
be in order.
    The committee is meeting today to receive testimony on 
examining DHS's efforts to improve processing for international 
visitors.
    Without objection the Chair is authorized to declare the 
committee in recess at any point.
    Good morning. I want to begin this hearing by thanking 
Congresswoman Dina Titus for bringing the committee to Las 
Vegas to examine how the Department of Homeland Security can 
improve visitor processing. Congresswoman Titus is a leader in 
Congress on this issue and a champion for Las Vegas tourism 
because she knows how critical it is to this community and its 
economy.
    Las Vegas received over 42 million visitors in 2019. After 
dropping off due to the pandemic, the numbers of visitors is on 
the upswing. Harry Reid International Airport saw a 66 percent 
increase in passenger volume from March 2021 to March of this 
year. The number of international passengers increased 800 
percent during that time, though it remains below pre-pandemic 
numbers.
    As travel continues to resume, it is essential to let 
visitors know that America is ready and welcomes their return.
    Yesterday I had the opportunity to see first-hand some of 
the good work TSA is doing here at Harry Reid International 
Airport to develop new innovative technologies for its 
checkpoints. I also observed some of the engagement CBP has 
made in recent years to strengthen and facilitate international 
visitor processing. Improvements like these are essential to 
not only strengthening security and serving as a force 
multiplier for TSA and CBP personnel, but also improving the 
passenger experience. A good experience at the airport gets a 
visitor's trip off on the right foot and makes them more likely 
to want to return.
    I hope to hear from our TSA and CBP witnesses today about 
the progress they have made and what more can be done as travel 
rebounds from the pandemic. I also look forward to hearing from 
our airport and Las Vegas and Convention and Visitors Authority 
witnesses about what the Federal Government can do to help.
    Finally, I want to commend the men and women of TSA and 
CBP, Harry Reid International Airport, and all those who have 
worked tirelessly under extraordinarily difficult conditions 
while during the pandemic to keep the traveling public safe and 
secure. We appreciate your hard work today and every day and 
recognize that without you American travel and tourism would 
not be possible.
    [The statement of Chairman Thompson follows:]
                Statement of Chairman Bennie G. Thompson
                              May 24, 2022
    I want to begin the hearing by thanking Congresswoman Dina Titus 
for bringing the committee to Las Vegas to examine how the Department 
of Homeland Security can improve visitor processing. Congresswoman 
Titus is a leader in Congress on this issue and a champion for Las 
Vegas tourism because she knows how critical it is to this community 
and its economy.
    Las Vegas received over 42 million visitors in 2019. After dropping 
off due to the pandemic, the number of visitors is on the upswing. 
Harry Reid International Airport saw a 66 percent increase in passenger 
volume from March 2021 to March of this year. The number of 
international passengers increased 800 percent during that time, though 
it remains below pre-pandemic numbers. As travel continues to resume, 
it is essential to let visitors know that America is ready and 
welcoming their return.
    Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see first-hand some of the good 
work TSA is doing here at Harry Reid International Airport to develop 
new, innovative technology for its checkpoints. I also observed some of 
the enhancements CBP has made in recent years to strengthen and 
facilitate international visitor processing. Improvements like these 
are essential to not only strengthening security and serving as a force 
multiplier for TSA and CBP personnel, but also improving the passenger 
experience. A good experience at the airport gets a visitor's trip off 
on the right foot and makes them more likely to want to return.
    I hope to hear from our TSA and CBP witnesses today about the 
progress they have made and what more can be done as travel rebounds 
from the pandemic. I also look forward to hearing from our airport and 
Las Vegas and Convention and Visitors Authority witnesses about what 
the Federal Government can do to help.
    Finally, I want to commend the men and women of TSA and CBP, Harry 
Reid International Airport, and all those who have worked tirelessly 
under extraordinarily difficult conditions during the pandemic to keep 
the traveling public safe and secure. We appreciate your hard work 
today and every day and recognize that without you, American travel and 
tourism would not be possible.

    Chairman Thompson. With that, I thank the airport for 
hosting us today and recognize the gentlewoman from Nevada, Ms. 
Titus, a tireless advocate for the people of Las Vegas on this 
committee and in Congress, for any opening remarks she may 
have.
    Ms. Titus. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and thank you 
for bringing your committee here. I know you have a lot to do 
with the other committee that you are chairing where we always 
see you on TV, but we know also you are quite a champion for 
TSA and what goes on in homeland security.
    Thank you, Reverend Cleaver, for coming from St. Louis, 
Missouri and that part of--central part of the country to join 
us today in Las Vegas. I really appreciate it. I am glad to 
have you here because you will get to hear directly from the 
people at the airport and know that what I have been telling 
you all this time is really true, because you will hear it 
straight from them. The work that they do here to help our 
hospitality industry is just incredible. I was glad you got to 
have that behind the scenes tour of the new security system 
here at the airport because we are really leading the way with 
that technology.
    You know, when I used to go through this airport to 
Washington on the weekends, every 3 or 4 people on the plane, 
it was just very eerie. Now air travel is really making a 
comeback. But we still have a way to go. With the 191 
international passengers just last month, we want to be able to 
meet the challenge. So that is why we want to be sure we have 
enough people, enough technology, and are ready to say welcome.
    In 2020 CBP introduced simplified arrival processing with 
biometric technology. That is one of the ways that we are kind-
of leading in the field. But unfortunately when travelers get 
here and the numbers spike, CBP we realized lacks the personnel 
needed. We believe there is a shortage of about 900 CBP 
officers across ports of entry. So we need to do everything we 
can to strengthen the work force by hiring more personnel and 
working to mitigate these shortfalls.
    As you will hear from our witnesses, as the trend increases 
and more tourists come to our city, their trip does begin at 
the airport. If you have a bad experience there, it kind-of 
tempers the way you feel about the rest of the trip. So we are 
proud to host the Nation's only TSA innovation checkpoint, and 
that has again got the latest technology. So we are doing all 
the right things, but we know we need to do more, and so that 
is why we are having this hearing.
    The President has recognized this increasing demand, and 
you see that reflected in his new budget. I am also pleased 
that there is a great increase from last year of $1.4 billion. 
So that will certainly be helpful. That includes $105 million 
for checkpoint property screening systems and $19 million for 
own-person screening algorithm development--whatever that is. I 
am sure we will find out.
    In Congress this past month I was proud to vote in favor of 
a TSA work force bill led by our Chairman recognizing all the 
service that we get from TSA and improving their conditions and 
pay and benefits. So I think we have a great partnership here. 
I want the committee to hear about it, and we want to learn 
from you ways that we can make it even better.
    So thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    I yield back.
    [The statement of Honorable Titus follows:]
                 Statement of Congresswoman Dina Titus
                              May 24, 2022
    Thank you to Chairman Thompson and to all the committee staff for 
ensuring this important field hearing could take place. I am so pleased 
to have you all in my district to discuss the important work Customs 
and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security 
Administration (TSA) are doing to encourage international travel to and 
from the United States while bolstering the security of aviation 
travel.
    This field hearing is a great opportunity for our members to get a 
behind-the-scenes look at the exciting new security technologies these 
travel agencies are using to facilitate seamless processing. As we 
bounce back from the economic downturn of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is 
critical that we ensure no tourist or visitor is discouraged from 
traveling to our country because of processing delays or long wait 
times.
    Despite low travel rates due to the pandemic, air travel is making 
a significant comeback, particularly as we approach the summer months. 
Visitation trajectories from March of this year are 50 percent above 
what they were in March 2021, bringing the number travelers and 
tourists to over 3 million in March of this year. Just last month, the 
Las Vegas Airport had nearly 191,000 international air passengers.
    CBP officers ensure that international travelers coming into the 
United States are screened properly before enjoying the many 
attractions Las Vegas has to offer. In 2020, CBP introduced Simplified 
Arrival processing using biometric technology--a privacy-protective, 
efficient, and secure way to utilize new technologies for enhanced 
screening. Initiatives like these are what will catapult our airport 
security efforts into the future while meeting increased travel 
demands.
    Unfortunately, as travel numbers spike, CBP still lacks the 
personnel needed to meet this demand, with a shortage of at least 900 
CBP officers across ports of entry. CBP should do everything possible 
to strengthen its workforce by hiring more personnel and working to 
mitigate these shortfalls with automated technologies. We now have an 
optimistic traveler forecast as we move toward the next phase of this 
pandemic--let's take that opportunity to augment CBP capabilities and 
meet the need.
    As the witnesses from our tourism authorities will tell you today, 
this positive trend is expected to increase. We must continue to 
support our travel agencies so that tourists come to our city with 
positive travel experiences, a sense of trust in our security 
processing, and a desire to come visit again.
    Here at Las Vegas Airport, we are proud to host the Nation's only 
TSA Innovation Checkpoint, which features the latest upgrades in 
technology to improve security and the passenger screening experience. 
I understand Chairman Thompson was able to tour the Innovation 
Checkpoint yesterday and I hope some of you will be able to take a walk 
through before you head home back to your districts.
    Since its establishment in 2019, the Innovation Checkpoint at 
Terminal 3 has allowed TSA employees to observe and evaluate new 
technologies in a real-time, lab-like environment. It includes four 
Automated Screening Lanes integrated with Computed Tomography scanners, 
allowing for uninterrupted screening of carry-on luggage. TSA is also 
testing a CT scan unit designed to recognize coding and divert bags 
that need follow-up screening.
    Given our diverse and varied passenger profile utilizing our 
airport, the Innovation Checkpoint serves as the perfect opportunity to 
pilot new security technologies without sacrificing reliability or 
efficiency.
    In the 9 years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Las Vegas set a 
record for annual passenger volume, with 51.5 million travelers 
visiting our city in 2019 via the airport. In recognizing increasing 
demand, President Biden has laid out a fiscal year 2023 budget to 
improve TSA security capabilities and ensure employees are better paid, 
valued, and eligible for well-deserved benefits.
    I am pleased that the President's fiscal year 2023 budget requests 
$9.7 billion for TSA, a $1.4 billion increase from last year's funding 
level. This number includes $105 million for the Checkpoint Property 
Screening System program and $19 million for On-Person Screening 
Algorithm Development to improve screening capabilities, intended to 
improve detection of treats in an ever-evolving landscape.
    In Congress, I was proud to vote this month in favor of a TSA 
workforce bill which improves conditions, pay, and benefits for all 
60,000 employees so that they feel empowered to do their job to keep 
air travel safe. Supporting this workforce is an essential part of the 
homeland security goals that this committee has advocated for.
    Thank you again to all of you for being here today. I look forward 
to hearing from our witnesses and I yield back.

    Chairman Thompson. Thank you very much.
    In my other life, when I used to come to Vegas before I was 
a Member of Congress, I enjoyed myself. After becoming a Member 
of Congress, I was given what was called back of the house tour 
at the casinos to kind-of show me how things operate. So I was 
privileged yesterday to see the back of the house tour here at 
Harry Reid International Airport. I must say, not as many bells 
and whistles at the casino, but you get it right. So I was very 
impressed with what I saw and obviously I look forward to 
hearing from our witnesses today on exactly what is going on.
    So other Members of the committee are reminded that under 
the committee rules opening statements may be submitted for the 
record.
    [The statement of Honorable Jackson Lee follows:]
               Statement of Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee
                              May 24, 2022
    Chairman Thompson, and Ranking Member Katko thank you for this 
opportunity to hear from the Department of Homeland Security on DHS 
representatives on initiatives that facilitate travel for international 
visitors to the United States, as well as steps taken at airports to 
protect the traveling public and DHS personnel from COVID-19.
    I look forward to hearing from today's witnesses:
    PANEL 1:
    Mr. Carlos Martel, director of field operations, Los Angeles Field 
Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP);
    Ms. Karen Burke, Federal security director for Nevada, 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
    PANEL 2:
    Ms. Kate Mik, chief marketing officer, Las Vegas Convention and 
Visitors Authority (LVCVA); and
    Ms. Rosemary Vassiliadis, director of aviation, Clark County 
Department of Aviation.
    I view the work of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 
and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as vital to our Nation's 
homeland security.
    These agencies share the mission of protecting the Nation's 
transportation systems and border entry into the United States to 
ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.
    The Committee on Homeland Security provides the needed policy 
guidance and funding to ensure that the TSA and CBP have what they need 
to create and sustain the most effective transportation security as a 
high-performing counterterrorism organization.
    This hearing affords Members of the committee the opportunity to 
hear from DHS representatives on initiatives that facilitate travel for 
international visitors to the United States, as well as steps taken at 
airports to protect the traveling public and DHS personnel from COVID-
19. Witnesses will also discuss the importance of efficient processing 
for tourism.
    The work of the TSA is a front-line Department of Homeland 
Security, and it is not easy--it can in fact be very dangerous.
    Like many of my colleagues, I recall the shooting incident at LAX 
that killed Gerardo Hernandez, who became the first TSA officer killed 
in the line of duty; and the machete attack at the Louis Armstrong New 
Orleans International Airport that resulted in injuries to Senior 
Transportation Security Officer Carol Richel.
    These incidents only highlight the difficult work that the men and 
women of the TSA must perform each day to keep our Nation's airports 
and flights safe.
    Following terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there was 
urgency to have a whole-of-Government response to secure the Nation's 
commercial aviation.
    On that day nearly 3,000 people were killed in a series of 
coordinated terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
    The attacks resulted in the creation of DHS, which was designed to 
prevent similar attacks in the future by removing the responsibility 
for transportation and border security from private entities.
    The work of DHS has evolved to include other threats such as the 
global pandemic caused by COVID-19.
    The COVID-19 pandemic and various travel restrictions resulted in 
significantly decreased air passenger volume Nation-wide.
    CBP processed more than 44 million travelers in fiscal year 2021, 
which is a decrease from 62.1 million in fiscal year 2020 and 135.7 
million fiscal year 2019.
    Despite the decline in air travel, DHS has expedited the inspection 
process for millions of international travelers during the pandemic.
    As COVID-19 restrictions ease, the Harry Reid International Airport 
is seeing significant passenger growth.
    In March 2022, the airport recorded more than 4.2 million 
passengers, which is a 66 percent increase from March 2021.
    With respect to international passengers, the airport recorded more 
than 154,000 international passengers in March 2022, which is an 800 
percent increase from March 2021.
    However, numbers are still well below March 2019, when the airport 
recorded 305,000 international travelers.
    According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority 
Research Center, Las Vegas received more than 42 million visitors in 
2019; 19 million visitors in 2020; and 32 million visitors in 2021.
    International visitors comprise about 3 percent of Las Vegas's 
visitors.
    DHS uses biometric technology, automated kiosks, preclearance, and 
trusted traveler programs to streamline the processing of international 
travelers.
    CBP has enhanced the traditional inspection process to expedite 
processing and reduce airport wait times.
    An airport's infrastructure, size, and layout determine which 
travel initiatives can be implemented.
    Some travel initiatives, like preclearance and biometric exit, are 
implemented via private-public partnerships, and these also depend on 
the airport stakeholders' ability to fund the initiatives. CBP's 
initiatives include:
   Simplified Arrival.--CBP uses biometric facial comparison 
        technology to complete their inspection process in seconds.
   Global Entry.--Global Entry allows expedited inspection for 
        pre-approved, low-risk travelers to the United States.
    U.S. citizens, along with citizens of 12 countries, are eligible 
        for membership if they pass a rigorous background check 
        process.
    Members use Global Entry kiosks, submit their fingerprints for 
        scanning, and complete a customs declaration. Global Entry 
        kiosks are available at 14 preclearance locations and 61 U.S. 
        airports, including the Harry Reid International Airport.
    In fiscal year 2021, Global Entry membership grew by 4.1 percent 
        making total membership to 7.4 million people.
    To keep up with growing membership, CBP launched facial comparison 
        pilots at Dallas and Los Angeles airports to reduce the time 
        needed for processing at Global Entry kiosks.
    The facial comparison transaction takes 5 seconds versus the 40-45 
        seconds at legacy kiosks.
   Automated Passport Control (APC).--Instead of filling out 
        paper customs forms, international visitors can use APC kiosks 
        to scan their passport, take a photograph, submit biometrics, 
        and answer CBP inspection-related questions.
   Mobile Passport Control (MPC).--The Mobile Passport Control 
        (MPC) application allows U.S. citizens and Canadian travelers 
        to use their smartphone to enter their personal information for 
        inspection.
    After travelers submit their passport information, self-photo, and 
        answers CBP's inspection questions, they receive an Encrypted 
        Quick Response (QR) code, which they present to a CBP officer 
        for final inspection. MPC is currently available at 31 U.S. 
        international airports, but not yet available at the Harry Reid 
        International Airport.
   Preclearance.--Through CBP's preclearance program, CBP 
        personnel at foreign airports inspect travelers prior to 
        boarding U.S.-bound flights.
    Travelers then bypass TSA and CBP inspections upon arriving to the 
        United States and proceed to their destination or connecting 
        flight.
    Currently, CBP operates 16 preclearance sites in the Caribbean, 
        Canada, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates. More than 2.9 
        million air travelers, representing over 6.5 percent of all 
        commercial air travel to the United States, were precleared in 
        fiscal year 2021.
    These advancements in passenger screening and admittance into the 
United States have requirements that may touch on international 
cooperation regarding how DHS sufficiently allay E.U. governments 
concerns regarding their citizens data which is collected, retained, 
and used for travel purposes.
    U.S. citizens participating in Global Entry has been well-received 
by the business community and frequent international travelers because 
of the time savings it has brought to their travel.
    However, Global Entry has presented challenges especially when the 
credential is granted and later revoked without explanation to the 
traveler.
    This does present privacy considerations as outlined by the Fair 
Information Practices guidance that is enacted by the Federal Privacy 
Act, and the Administrative Procedures Act that require an agency to 
provide due process to citizens when a benefit if revoked or denied.
    This should be especially true because the FBI decided in 2004 to 
not pursue accuracy as a requirement for the National Crime Information 
Center database.
    Today's hearing is important, and we should focus attention on the 
issue of database accuracy especially for systems of record intended to 
approve or disapprove persons for special considerations in public 
travel.
    Thank you.

    Chairman Thompson. Members are also reminded that the 
committee will operate according to the guidelines laid out by 
the Chairman and Ranking Member in our February 3, 2021 
colloquy regarding remote procedures.
    I now welcome our first panel of witnesses.
    Mr. Carlos Martel is the director of field operations for 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Los Angeles field office. 
In that capacity he oversees all CBP operations in the greater 
Los Angeles and Las Vegas area, including here at Harry Reid 
International Airport.
    Ms. Karen Burke is a Transportation Security 
Administration's Federal security director for Nevada. In that 
role she is responsible for ensuring the deployment, 
management, and oversight of people, processes, and technology 
to improve security operations, including here at Harry Reid 
International.
    Without objection, the witnesses' full statements will be 
inserted in the record.
    I now ask Mr. Martel to summarize his statement for 5 
minutes.

 STATEMENT OF CARLOS MARTEL, DIRECTOR OF FIELD OPERATIONS, LOS 
ANGELES FIELD OFFICE, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, U.S. 
                DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

    Mr. Martel. Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Katko, and 
distinguished Members of the committee, thank you for the 
opportunity to be here today to discuss U.S. Customers and 
Border Protections efforts to facilitate international traveler 
processing.
    Facilitating safe and legitimate travel is one of CBP's 
core mission objectives and is carried out by CBP's office of 
field operations. At 328 ports of entry Nation-wide and 16 
preclearance locations internationally, our role is not only a 
critical component of National security, but also a significant 
driving force of the country's economic prosperity.
    The global pandemic caused significant damage to multiple 
private and Government entities that depend on international 
travel. Travel restrictions to minimize transmission along with 
traveler fears caused by the pandemic resulted in 2 consecutive 
years of international travel decline. Today, both commercial 
and personal travel across our southwest land border have 
returned to pre-pandemic levels. Travel across the northern 
land border continues to increase, but is still only about half 
of pre-pandemic levels. In the air environment, as of May 1, 
international travel remains 29 percent lower than this time in 
2019.
    The pandemic's impact on CBP operations has been 
substantial. Limited travel sharply reduced our collection of 
user fees, a key resource supporting the cost of CBP personnel. 
Thanks to the funds provided by Congress in fiscal year 2021 
and 2022, CBP has been able to sustain our critical travel 
operations.
    U.S. COVID-19 travel restrictions have been replaced with a 
vaccination requirement for non-U.S. citizens and non-immigrant 
travelers, an action that is contributing to increasing 
international travel. As this trend continues, CBP stands ready 
to welcome visitors back to the United States.
    As part of our preparation efforts, CBP has been 
accelerating the implementation of several initiatives to 
maintain the highest standards of security while transforming 
the international arrivals process to attract visitors, 
increased travel confidence and safety, and provide a 
streamlined travel experience. I would like to highlight some 
of these efforts for you today.
    First, CBP continues to leverage pre-departure screening 
capabilities and programs. Traveler screening at the earliest 
moments of potential travel is important for CBP to identify 
and prevent inadmissible individuals or persons who pose a risk 
to the United States from reaching our physical border.
    Second, the ability to identify and separate low-risk 
travelers from those who may require additional scrutiny is a 
key element in CBP's effort to facilitate and secure 
international travel. CBP's Trusted Travel programs, namely 
NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST, and Global Entry, provide expedited 
processing upon arrival into the United States for pre-approved 
low-risk participants through secure technology, exclusive 
lines, and automated kiosks. CBP's Trusted Traveler membership 
topped 10 million in March of this year, with nearly 8 million 
enrolled in Global Entry. To support growing membership, CBP 
continues to improve the enrollment process and member 
experience. We have recently implemented remote interviews for 
renewal of Global Entry membership and expanded enrollment on 
arrival.
    Since October 1 of 2021 CBP has completed 52,000 remote 
interviews and 160,000 enrollment on arrival interviews and is 
working to accommodate increased demand for these options.
    Third, CBP has been integrating biometric facial 
comparison, touchless and mobile technologies into its entry 
processes, including Global Entry kiosks and simplified arrival 
to verify identity and streamline processing, mitigate pathogen 
transmission, enhance security, and protect the privacy of all 
travelers. CBP also offers automated passport control and 
mobile passport control that allow travelers to enter their 
biographic and travel-related information prior to inspection, 
either via a kiosk or mobile app to streamline processing.
    Additionally, the CBP One mobile application enables 
foreign travelers entering the United States by land to apply 
for a 984 prior to arrival, review their travel history, and 
check their I94 expiration date on a mobile device. In the air 
environment, a new CBP One feature offers air travelers the 
ability to provide advanced information regarding hand-carry of 
biological materials and/or live pets, streamlining required 
document and inspection processes.
    Finally, CBP continues to strengthen our partnerships with 
industry. For example, in 2020 CBP at Harry Reid International 
partnered with Clark County Department of Aviation to establish 
and promote the Tussle Initiative, aimed at providing a faster 
more secure travel experience and restoring public confidence 
in air travel.
    Together these initiatives, processes, partnerships, and 
technological innovation streamline the arrival experience and 
promote the public health of travelers while simultaneously 
advancing CBP's ability to facilitate legitimate trade and 
travel and identify those individuals who might present a risk.
    Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. I look 
forward to answering your questions.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Martel follows:]
                  Prepared Statement of Carlos Martel
                              May 24, 2022
                              introduction
    Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Katko, and distinguished Members 
of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear today to 
discuss U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) efforts to 
facilitate post-pandemic international travel.
    CBP's mission of protecting the borders of the United States and 
facilitating safe and legitimate trade and travel is not only a 
critical component of National security, but also a significant driving 
force of the country's economic prosperity. The Office of Field 
Operations (OFO) is the law enforcement entity within CBP responsible 
for carrying out CBP's complex and demanding mission at 328 ports of 
entry (POE) Nation-wide and 16 preclearance locations internationally.
    The global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) caused significant 
damage to multiple private industries and Government entities that 
depend on international travel. The United States and other countries 
around the world took swift and deliberate actions to limit travel. 
These actions were essential to minimize the risk of COVID-19 
transmission; however, because of these restrictions along with 
traveler fears caused by the pandemic, international travel volume 
decreased for 2 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2020, international 
travel to the United States in all modes decreased 42 percent from 
fiscal year 2019 levels. In the air environment, the decrease was 54 
percent compared to the previous year.\1\ In fiscal year 2021, 
international travel to the United States decreased 25 percent overall, 
and decreased 29 percent in the air environment, compared to the 
previous fiscal year.\2\ As of May 1, 2022, travel in the air 
environment remains 29 percent lower than this same time in 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2021-
Feb/CBP-FY2020-Trade-and-Travel-Report.pdf.
    \2\ https://www.cbp.gov/document/annual-report/cbp-trade-and-
travel-fiscal-year-2021-report.
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    Revenue from user fees, 94 percent of which are paid for by 
international air passengers, support budgets for multiple offices 
across CBP. The pandemic caused a reduction of more than a $1.5 billion 
in CBP user fee collections for fiscal year 2021 and a projected $669 
million reduction for fiscal year 2022, impacting multiple offices 
across CBP. This had a significant impact on OFO, for which user fees 
make up 40 percent of its $6.5 billion budget. Travel and associated 
user fee collections are gradually recovering but are not projected to 
return to pre-pandemic levels in fiscal year 2023. CBP is closely 
monitoring travel and its impact on fee collections as traveler volumes 
continue to increase.
    In October 2021, President Biden ended the United States' country-
based travel restrictions \3\ and replaced them with a global 
vaccination requirement for non-U.S. citizen, nonimmigrant travelers. 
Today, as vaccines are more widely available and travel restrictions 
continue to ease, CBP stands ready to welcome visitors back to the 
United States. As part of our preparation efforts, CBP has been 
accelerating the implementation of several initiatives to maintain the 
highest standards of security while transforming the international 
arrivals process to attract visitors, increase traveler confidence and 
safety, and provide a streamlined travel experience.
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    \3\ On October 25, 2021, President Biden announced PP 10294, 
effective November 8, 2021, ending the travel restrictions under 
Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, 10143, and 10199 as they relate 
to the suspension of entry into the United States of persons recently 
physically present in Brazil, China, India, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen 
Area, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
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    In anticipation of increased travel, CBP is leveraging pre-
departure travel programs, expanding Trusted Traveler Programs, 
streamlining processes, and integrating advanced technologies that 
support CBP's dual responsibilities of moving low-risk, vetted 
travelers through the arrivals inspection process quickly while 
increasing security measures.
                    pre-departure travel operations
    For CBP, the activities involved with international air traveler 
screening and processing often begin long before the traveler 
physically arrives at a POE. They start when an individual applies for 
U.S. travel documents and continue as the individual reserves or 
purchases an airline ticket, checks in at an airport, and is en route 
to their destination. Traveler screening at the earliest moments of 
potential travel is important for CBP to identify and prevent dangerous 
persons from obtaining visas, travel authorizations, and boarding 
passes.
Visas and Travel Authorization Security
    Before boarding a flight destined for the United States, most 
foreign nationals must obtain a visa issued by a U.S. embassy or 
consulate, or, if they are eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver 
Program (VWP),\4\ they must apply for a travel authorization through 
CBP's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \4\ The VWP allows citizens from 40 designated countries to travel 
to the United States for business or pleasure for 90 days or less 
without obtaining a visa.
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    Through ESTA, CBP conducts advance screening of VWP applicants to 
determine their eligibility to travel to the United States without a 
visa. This includes screening through the National Vetting Center (NVC) 
against Classified and Sensitive information from intelligence 
community and law enforcement partners. ESTA denies tens of thousands 
of applications every year--an average of 0.85 percent over the past 3 
years \5\--demonstrating the importance of advance traveler data and 
ESTA's valuable role in CBP's travel security operations. As expected 
with the overall decrease in travel, CBP processed 6.4 million ESTA 
applications in fiscal year 2020 and 1.3 million applications in fiscal 
year 2021, a more than 91 percent decrease from the nearly 15.3 million 
applications processed in fiscal year 2019.
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    \5\ In fiscal year 2018, CBP denied .56 percent of ESTA 
applications; in fiscal year 2019, CBP denied .80 percent of ESTA 
applications; in fiscal year 2020, CBP denied 1.18 percent of ESTA 
applications. The increase in denial rate can potentially be attributed 
to the decrease in total number of applications.
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    Through the publication of an interim rule, CBP is expanding the 
requirement for an approved ESTA to land POEs.\6\ Specifically, it 
extends the electronic collection of the information requested on paper 
Form I-94W to VWP travelers who intend to travel to the United States 
by land. CBP is currently in the process of implementing this 
requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \6\ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/01/2022-
06366/implementation-of-the-electronic-system-for-travel-authorization-
esta-at-us-land-borders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ESTA personnel work closely with the National Targeting Center 
(NTC) and other CBP personnel to conduct screening of travelers before 
they depart for the United States.
Pre-Departure Targeting
    When a traveler purchases a ticket for travel to, from, or through 
the United States, a Passenger Name Record (PNR) \7\ is generated in 
the airline's reservation system, which includes information on 
itineraries, co-travelers, changes to the reservation, and payment 
information. CBP receives PNR data from commercial air carriers at 
operationally-determined intervals from 96 hours prior to departure to 
scheduled departure time to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute 
terrorist offenses and related crimes and certain other transnational 
crimes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \7\ Collection of PNR information from air carriers is authorized 
by 49 U.S.C.  44909(c)(3) and its implementing regulations at 19 
C.F.R.  122.49d.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Further, Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) regulations 
require commercial air carriers to transmit all required passenger and 
crew manifest information before departure prior to securing the 
aircraft doors. CBP vets APIS information, which includes passenger 
biographic data and travel document information, on all international 
flights to and from the United States against terrorist screening 
information, criminal history information, records of lost or stolen 
passports, and prior immigration or customs violations and visa 
refusals. CBP uses APIS and PNR data to identify known or suspected 
threats before they arrive at U.S. POEs.
    Using advance information from the NTC, CBP plainclothes officers 
assigned to the Immigration Advisory Program (IAP) and Joint Security 
Program (JSP) partner with host country law enforcement agencies at 
major airports to identify passengers likely to be inadmissible upon 
arrival in United States.\8\ Using mobile technology, IAP and JSP 
officers conduct database queries and coordinate with the NTC to 
confirm whether or not a traveler presents a risk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \8\ IAP officers are posted in Western Europe and the Middle East. 
JSP officers are posted in Mexico, South and Central America.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The IAP and JSP programs are based on the cooperation of the 
airlines and the host government. IAP and JSP officers do not have the 
legal authority that CBP officers have at U.S. POEs to compel air 
carrier or traveler compliance. Nevertheless, an IAP or JSP officer's 
no-board recommendations to an air carrier regarding inadmissible 
travelers are generally accepted and followed by airlines. Providing 
coverage of non-IAP airports, Regional Carrier Liaison Groups (RCLGs) 
are staffed by CBP officers and use established relationships with the 
commercial airlines to prevent passengers who may pose a security 
threat, have fraudulent documents, or are otherwise inadmissible from 
boarding flights to the United States.
    CBP's use of advance information, our pre-departure targeting 
operations, and our overseas programs are critical parts of CBP's 
multi-layered security strategy to address many concerns long before 
inadmissible individuals, or individuals who pose a risk to the United 
States, reach our physical border. Upon arrival in the United States or 
to a preclearance facility, all travelers are subject to inspection by 
CBP officers. CBP officers review entry documents, query CBP and other 
law enforcement databases for derogatory information, collect 
biometrics,\9\ and interview each traveler to determine the purpose and 
intent of their travel, and whether any further inspection is necessary 
based on, among other things, National security, admissibility, 
customs, or agriculture concerns.
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    \9\ The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant 
Responsibility Act (Pub. L. 104-208) authorized the U.S. Government to 
use an automated system to record arrivals and departures of non-U.S. 
citizens at all air, sea, and land ports of entry. CBP is also 
authorized to collect biometric entry and exit information pursuant to 
numerous laws, including the 2002 Enhanced Border Security and Visa 
Entry Reform Act (Pub. L. 107-173), the Intelligence Reform and 
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-458), and the 
Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Pub. 
L. 110-53).
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Uniting for Ukraine--Seeking Parole at the Port of Entry
    On April 21, 2022, President Biden announced Uniting for 
Ukraine,\10\ a new streamlined process to provide certain Ukrainian 
citizens who have fled Russia's unprovoked war of aggression 
opportunities to travel to the United States. Uniting for Ukraine 
provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family 
members who are outside the United States and have a U.S.-based 
financial supporter to apply for advance authorization to travel to the 
United States and seek parole, generally for a period of up to 2 years. 
After eligibility is determined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 
Services (USCIS).\11\ Ukrainians undergo additional screening, to 
include biographic vetting with the NVC. Upon their arrival at a POE, 
each individual is inspected by CBP. Anyone determined to pose a 
National security or public safety threat is referred to U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement. If parole is determined to be 
appropriate, the individual will generally be paroled for a period of 
up to 2 years and may have conditions placed on their parole.\12\ All 
individuals 2 years of age or older will need to complete a medical 
screening for tuberculosis, including an Interferon-Gamma Release 
Assays (IGRA) test, within 2 weeks of arrival to the United States. 
Currently, Ukrainians who present at U.S. land POEs without a valid 
visa or without pre-authorization to travel to the United States 
through Uniting for Ukraine may be denied entry and referred to apply 
through this program.
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    \10\ https://www.dhs.gov/news/2022/04/21/president-biden-announce-
uniting-ukraine-new-streamlined-process-welcome-ukrainians.
    \11\ https://www.dhs.gov/ukraine.
    \12\ https://www.dhs.gov/ukraine.
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    As new requirements are added, the processing of a traveler 
requires an increasing amount of data entry and verifications. To 
balance our important safety and security mission with the facilitation 
of legitimate travel and trade that feed our Nation's economy, CBP is 
exploring ways that we can work with the public and our travel industry 
stakeholders to modernize and improve our processes by expanding 
Trusted Traveler Programs and investing in automated and mobile 
processing technology that streamlines the arrival experience.
                programs to facilitate legitimate travel
    Identifying and separating low-risk travelers from those who may 
require additional scrutiny is a key element in CBP's efforts to 
facilitate and secure international travel. CBP's Trusted Traveler 
Programs--NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST, and Global Entry--provide expedited 
processing upon arrival in the United States for pre-approved, low-risk 
participants through secure technology, exclusive lines, and automated 
kiosks.\13\ Membership requires travelers complete an application, 
submit to a screening process, and complete an interview.
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    \13\ CBP operates four risk-based Trusted Traveler Programs that 
facilitate the entry of pre-approved travelers in the United States. 
The programs are Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST. All of the 
programs improve security and provide streamlined member processing, 
but each program is unique in its location and mode of transportation 
for the traveler.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs membership topped 10 million in 
March 2022. Global Entry is CBP's largest Trusted Traveler Program with 
7.7 million members and availability at 62 U.S. airports and 14 
international preclearance locations. CBP also has full partnership 
agreements with 13 countries that allow their citizens to apply for 
Global Entry and experience the expedited travel benefits.\14\ Global 
Entry members can also receive reciprocal benefits with several 
countries including Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Panama, South 
Korea, and Taiwan. In addition, Global Entry membership includes access 
to TSA PreCheck, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 
Trusted Traveler Program that allows low-risk passengers to access 
expedited screening for domestic air travel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \14\ Additionally, there are four countries [names?] participating 
in pilot programs with the goal of reaching full partnership 
agreements.
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Improving Access to Enrollment Options
    As part of CBP's commitment to increase traveler confidence and 
promote visitation to the United States, CBP continues to invest in 
innovative efforts to improve the Global Entry membership enrollment 
process and member experience. Most recent enhancements include the 
implementation of remote interviews for renewal of Global Entry 
memberships and the expansion of enrollment on arrival. The Global 
Entry remote interview process enables certain qualified renewal 
applicants to complete their interview virtually with a CBP officer 
using a secure video connection. The enrollment on arrival processing 
enables conditionally-approved applicants to complete the interview 
process with an officer upon arrival at one of 66 participating 
airports. Since October 1, 2021, CBP has completed 52,000 remote 
interviews and 160,000 enrollments on arrival interviews and is working 
to accommodate increased demand for these options.
Biometric Facial Comparison Technology
    To better facilitate the growing volume of Global Entry travelers, 
and in anticipation of increasing travel volumes generally, CBP has 
been integrating biometric facial comparison technology into its entry 
and exit processes to verify identity, mitigate pathogen transmission, 
enhance security, and protect the privacy of all travelers.
    Furthermore, CBP is leading efforts, consistent with U.S. law, to 
streamline the travel process by providing industry stakeholders with 
biometric facial comparison technology to better identify and match 
travelers to the gallery of biometric identifiers. This biometric 
technology transforms how travelers interact with CBP, airports, 
airlines, cruise lines, and other Government agencies with security 
functions such as TSA, creating a seamless travel process that is both 
reliable and secure.
    CBP is committed to its privacy obligations and has taken all 
available steps to safeguard the privacy of all travelers.\15\ CBP 
utilizes strong technical security safeguards and reduces the amount of 
personally identifiable information required in the facial biometric 
identification process. U.S. citizens who do not wish to submit to 
facial photo capture pursuant to these processes may request 
alternative processing, which typically involves a manual review of 
their travel documents. Furthermore, if a traveler cannot be matched by 
the facial comparison process, the individual must present the 
appropriate travel documents to a CBP officer or airline representative 
for manual review or inspection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \15\ For additional information on CBP's privacy protection 
efforts, see the Traveler Verification Service Privacy Impact 
Assessment, available at: https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhscbppia-
056-traveler-verification-service.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The pandemic quickly revealed the health and safety benefits of 
touchless identity verification processes in the travel industry. 
Starting in fiscal year 2021, CBP began accelerating the deployment of 
Simplified Arrival, an enhanced international arrival process that 
quickly and reliably verifies a traveler's identity biometrically and 
retrieves traveler data from CBP systems, providing a touchless 
experience. This process reduces multiple touch points for Trusted 
Traveler Program members and saves time during the traditional 
inspection process. To date, CBP has deployed Simplified Arrival to 199 
airports, including 14 preclearance locations.
    CBP's biometric facial comparison technology has also been 
integrated in all CBP's legacy Global Entry kiosks, reducing kiosk 
processing time by 85 percent.\16\ Furthermore, after successful 
testing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), CBP plans to deploy 
its new Global Entry Touchless Portals at other locations around the 
country. These new kiosks utilize secure biometric facial comparison 
technology, are completely touch-free, and decrease processing time by 
94 percent to approximately 3.5 seconds per traveler.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \16\ When compared to CBP legacy Global Entry kiosks without 
biometric facial comparison technology.
    \17\ When compared to CBP legacy Global Entry kiosks without 
biometric facial comparison technology.
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Automated and Mobile Technology
    Trusted Traveler Program membership and Simplified Arrival are only 
two of the ways travelers can streamline CBP processes upon entry in 
the United States. CBP also offers Automated Passport Control (APC) and 
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) that allow travelers to enter their 
biographic information and answer travel-related questions needed prior 
to inspection either via a kiosk or mobile app. APC kiosks are 
available for use at 22 locations, including most major U.S. 
international airports and preclearance locations. The MPC mobile app 
is available to U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors at 34 POEs (30 
airports and 4 seaports). In fiscal year 2021, more than 3 million 
travelers used APC kiosks and approximately 1.1 million trips were 
processed using MPC, accounting for almost 2.8 percent of all air 
travelers entering the United States.
    Since its release in October 2020, the CBP One mobile application 
has offered several benefits for travelers. While the use of CBP One 
was limited while travel was limited during the pandemic, the app 
enables foreign travelers entering the United States via land to apply 
for an I-94 prior to arrival, review their past travel history, and 
check their I-94 expiration date on their mobile device. When travelers 
who use the I-94 feature arrive at most POEs, they no longer need to be 
referred to a secondary processing area for processing. Since the 
resumption of travel in the land environment in November 2021, there 
have been more than 140,000 provisional 
I-94s processed through CBP One. Additionally, CBP recently developed a 
bus manifest functionality that allows bus companies to submit their 
travel manifest to CBP electronically through the CBP One app, 
streamlining the entry process. In the air environment, CBP recently 
announced a new capability that offers air travelers the ability to 
provide advance information regarding the hand-carry of biological 
materials or live pets that require the review of permits and other 
documentation, as well as the need for their footwear to be sanitized. 
When they arrive, CBP agriculture specialists are alerted of their 
arrival, have already completed their review of the documentation, 
prepared sanitization procedures, if necessary, and can expedite their 
clearance.
    With all traveler processing technology, CBP is committed to its 
privacy obligations and protecting the privacy of all travelers.\18\ 
These innovations streamline the arrival experience and promote the 
public health of travelers by decreasing touch points in the travel 
continuum. These technological capabilities simultaneously advance 
CBP's ability to quickly and reliably identify those who may be 
inadmissible for entry or ineligible for expedited processing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \18\ For additional information on CBP's privacy protection 
efforts, see the APC and MPC Privacy Impact Assessments, available at: 
https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhscbppia-051-automated-passport-
control-apc-and-mobile-passport-control-mpc, and CBP One Privacy Impact 
Assessment at https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhscbppia-068-cbp-one-
mobile-application.
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       cbp staffing to facilitate and secure international travel
    Reduced travel due to COVID-19 sharply decreased CBP's collection 
of user fees, a key resource supporting the cost of CBP personnel at 
our Nation's 328 POEs. Thanks to the funds provided by Congress in 
fiscal year 2021 and 2022, CBP has been able to sustain our security 
and facilitation postures at POEs across the Nation and beyond at 
preclearance facilities, ensuring international travel processing at 
the highest levels of safety and security. Your support helped avoid 
significant damage to the U.S. economy and ensured that CBP will have 
adequate personnel in place to facilitate increasing volumes of 
international travel.
    OFO's Workload Staffing Model (WSM) is a valuable data analysis 
tool to help calculate the estimated number of CBP officers needed to 
optimally carry out the CBP mission at each air, land, and sea POE in 
the United States, to include each preclearance location.\19\ The 
methodology captures future staffing requirements for new or enhanced 
facilities, technology deployments, and anticipated growth in trade and 
travel, and it can be adjusted according to changing priorities, risks, 
and threats. CBP continues to evaluate and optimize its workforce 
requirements and business processes and will continue to explore 
innovative transformation initiatives to assist our workforce in 
accomplishing our mission more effectively and efficiently.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \19\ The DHS Office of Inspector General audited the WSM in 2013/
2014. The audit concluded that the model has a ``sound methodology'' 
for determining staffing needs and identifying staffing shortages.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               conclusion
    As international travel continues to return to normal, travelers 
will encounter new and updated technology and will be offered new 
opportunities to streamline and simplify their travel experience 
entering and exiting the United States. CBP is committed to educating 
the public about its new innovative technologies and initiatives so 
that all travelers can benefit from the multitude of ways we make the 
international travel experience simple, fast, and safe. CBP hosted four 
virtual roundtables with media partners earlier this year and continues 
to share programmatic and operational updates through the web, social 
media, and our invaluable travel industry partners. For travelers who 
are interested in Trusted Traveler Programs, our website has 
interactive tools that guide applicants to the best program for their 
travel needs.
    CBP's biometric facial comparison technology will be a key aspect 
of the travel industry's ability to restore consumer confidence in the 
safety of travel. Through appropriate use of biometric technology, air 
and sea partners can streamline check-in, security, and boarding 
processes that involve long lines, heavy personal interaction, and the 
handling of travel documents. Facial biometric technology encourages 
contactless travel that involves minimal physical contact, which 
increases the safety of travelers, CBP officers, and port personnel.
    Security is our core mission at CBP. CBP's extensive screening 
standards and facial comparison technologies enhance officer ability to 
identify and respond to threats, while protecting traveler privacy. We 
leverage these initiatives to the greatest extent possible to 
facilitate legitimate travel while identifying those individuals who 
might present a risk.
    Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Katko, and Members of the 
committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. I look 
forward to answering your questions.

    Chairman Thompson. Thank you very much.
    I now ask Ms. Burke to summarize her statement for 5 
minutes.

STATEMENT OF KAREN R. BURKE, FEDERAL SECURITY DIRECTOR, NEVADA, 
  TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF 
                       HOMELAND SECURITY

    Ms. Burke [Audio malfunction]. Transportation Security 
Administration has taken and continues to take in three key 
areas.
    No. 1, to improve the passenger experience, No. 2, to 
enhance security while travel volumes are increasing, and No. 
3, to foster collaboration, innovation, and acceleration of 
action through the innovation checkpoint here in Las Vegas.
    As you all know, airports throughout the United States are 
often the engines that drive tourism, business activity, and 
the local economy. That fact makes ensuring airports function 
effectively and efficiently and securely all the more 
essential.
    To be successful in that endeavor requires strong 
partnerships with our public and private stakeholders. Our 
panels today are representative of those very partners and we 
are proud of the work we have done together to make this 
airport successful in serving the traveling public.
    During the calendar year 2021 TSA screened 858 million 
travelers, about 1.6 million per day, which represented 69 
percent of the pre-COVID pandemic levels. Las Vegas has 
recovered even faster, at 78 percent. As those volumes return, 
enhancing security and the passenger experience is really 
essential. TSA is focused on strengthening checkpoint 
operations through ensuring we have both the personnel and the 
technology needed to counter the ever-changing threat 
landscape.
    TSA is grateful for Congressional support, for its 
investment in personnel and innovative technologies to improve 
the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations while 
improving the passenger experience. Some examples of key 
technology that helped achieve this: First, computer 
topography, or CTs, which produce high-quality 3D images that 
can be rotated 360 degrees for a more thorough visual analysis 
of a carry-on bag content. These CTs are frequently housed 
within automated screening lanes, or ASLs. They provide key 
process automation capabilities that enhance the security 
checkpoint experience. These features allow for higher 
throughput and fewer bag jams and improved passenger 
experience.
    Second, advanced imaging technology, or AIT. This equipment 
safely screens passengers for both metallic and non-metallic 
threats, such as weapons and explosives, without physical 
contact. Enhancements to the threat detection algorithms lower 
the false alarm rate, which is exciting because it means fewer 
passengers are going to have pat-downs and there will be less 
false alarm rates, which will improve throughput and the 
customer experience.
    Next, credential authentication technology, or the CAT 
machine. Many of you probably experienced that already. It 
automatically verifies identification documents presented by 
the passenger and confirms the passenger's flight information 
without having to look at the boarding pass.
    All these pieces of equipment, and more, are housed in the 
innovation checkpoint. The innovation checkpoint was 
established in September 2019 and unveiled in Terminal 3 here 
at Las Vegas. The innovation checkpoint, which some of you had 
the opportunity to visit yesterday, is an excellent example of 
public and private sectors working together in tandem. 
Partnerships with our airport director and the Clark County 
Department of Aviation, as well as local industry, continued to 
make this checkpoint one of TSA's best options for continuously 
improving screening technology and procedures to advance both 
the passenger experience and security effectiveness.
    The innovation checkpoint is a one-of-a-kind checkpoint 
that serves as the demonstration site for TSA to assess 
multiple processes and technology requirements within a live 
checkpoint environment. It truly is one-of-a-kind I think in 
the United States and maybe even the world.
    In closing, we are grateful for the support of Congress 
that has enabled us to continue to advance and improve 
technology and the tools that we are able to provide to our 
TSOs and the work force that ensures the secure and efficient 
screening of passengers.
    Thank you and I look forward to your questions.
    [The prepared statement of Ms. Burke follows:]
                  Prepared Statement of Karen R. Burke
                              May 24, 2022
    Good morning, Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Katko, and 
distinguished Members of the committee. I appreciate the opportunity to 
appear before you today and to provide updates on steps the 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is taking to enhance 
security while travel volumes increase, our plans to improve the 
passenger experience, and on-going initiatives being carried out at our 
innovation checkpoint.
    Within the aviation network, TSA is responsible for the security of 
more than 430 Federalized airports with screening services forecasted 
this summer servicing over 24,000 domestic flights and nearly 3,300 
outbound international flights per day. Nation-wide, TSA routinely 
screens more than 2 million passengers and 1.4 million checked items 
daily for explosives and other dangerous items. During calendar year 
2021, TSA screened 585.3 million travelers, an average of about 1.6 
million passengers per day, which represents 69 percent of pre-COVID-19 
pandemic levels in 2019. On average, 97.6 percent of non-TSA PreCheck 
passengers waited less than 20 minutes at airport security checkpoints, 
while 96.2 percent of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than 5 
minutes in those lanes. We enrolled 7 new airlines and 1.8 million 
individuals in the TSA PreCheck expedited screening program, bringing 
the total number of Known Traveler Number holders to more than 27 
million.
    Locally, during calendar year 2021, TSA Harry Reid International 
Airport (LAS) screened 18.6 million travelers, or about 51,000 each 
day, which represents 78 percent of pre-COVID pandemic levels in 2019. 
On average, 98.2 percent of non-TSA PreCheck passengers waited less 
than 20 minutes at airport security checkpoints, while 99.9 percent of 
TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than 5 minutes in those lanes.
    During the period of January 1 to May 1, 2022, TSA personnel have 
prevented more than 1,900 firearms (85 percent were loaded) from being 
carried into airplane passenger cabins or the secure area of airports. 
Since July 2021, TSA has trained almost 1,500 flight crew members in 
Crew Member Self-Defense training to address increasing trends in 
unruly passengers. TSA also partnered with the Federal Aviation 
Administration to rescind TSA PreCheck eligibility for passengers who 
are disruptive aboard flights or during security screening process.
    TSA has continued deployment of Credential Authentication 
Technology (CAT) with 101 additional units (total 1,621 in the field) 
and deployed an additional 52 (total of 357 in the field) Computed 
Tomography (CT) scanners, which significantly improves detection while 
also allowing travelers to proceed through security screening with 
reduced physical contact. TSA is also very focused on strengthening 
checkpoint operations through the development and acquisition of new 
technology in order to counter the ever-changing threat. The fiscal 
year 2023 President's budget request, if enacted, will enable TSA to 
continue investing in innovative technologies and processes to improve 
the effectiveness of its operations. This includes requesting funding 
for the Checkpoint Property Screening System (CPSS) program for 
checkpoint CT investments and the On-Person Screening (OPS) Algorithm 
Development to reduce false alarms.
    TSA continues to evaluate new and emerging technologies that 
increase security while improving the customer experience for all 
travelers. Technology that we are currently deploying to checkpoints 
includes CTs, which enables 3D imaging for enhanced visual 
interpretation of a carry-on bag. This imaging technology allows 
Transportation Security Officers to get a better view of the contents 
of the bag without having to physically open it to determine if there 
is a threat. As the checkpoint CT algorithms improve, not only will 
there be better detection but also fewer false alarms, ultimately 
providing improved checkpoint operations.
    Checkpoint CT systems with Automated Screening Lanes, or ASLs, 
provide key process automation capabilities that enhance the security 
checkpoint experience. Allowing multiple locations for travelers to 
place their items and automated return of bins back to the front of the 
lane. ASLs have integrated sensors throughout the system to maintain 
positive bag control, allowing the officer to remain focused on 
screening. The ASL also makes diverting bags for secondary search 
easier and smoother. These features will allow for higher throughput, 
fewer bag jams, and overall improved passenger experience.
    Advanced Imaging Technology, or AIT, safely screens passengers for 
both metallic and non-metallic threats such as weapons and explosives 
without physical contact. As far as next generation equipment for on-
person screening, TSA is pushing the envelope on algorithm development, 
lowering the false alarm rates, developing gender-neutral algorithms, 
and making progress on deploying Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) 
systems with new capabilities that offer a more natural hands-down 
experience. The improved threat detection algorithms coupled with lower 
false alarm rates means fewer passenger pat-downs, which improves 
throughput and the overall customer experience.
    TSA is also technologically improving the entry point to the 
checkpoint, referred to as the Travel Document Checker (TDC). These 
investments look to enhance CAT machines with biometric, digital 
identity, and self-service capabilities in response to COVID-19 and the 
growing availability of identity solutions in the market. These 
upgrades to CAT include biometric 1:1 (one to one) facial matching 
capabilities that compares a live image capture against to the image on 
a credential (e.g., passport or ID photo). TSA is also evaluating a 
biometric electronic gate form factor, AutoCAT, that provides 
additional self-service and queue management capabilities. TSA is 
currently updating all CAT units in preparation for REAL ID 
implementation in May 2023.
    Other notable advancements include work to establish an overarching 
checkpoint built on Open Architecture principles of open data formats 
and open interfaces. TSA sees this as the future to diversify the 
transportation security marketplace and rapidly respond to emerging 
threats.
    To support these activities, TSA established the Advancing the 
Checkpoint Environment (ACE) mission to provide an operational lab 
space that allows new technologies and processes to be assessed 
concurrently, to drive decision making with data, and showcase the art 
of the possible. On September 3, 2019, TSA unveiled the ACE Innovation 
Checkpoint, a collaborative effort between TSA's Innovation Task Force 
(ITF), LAS, LAS local TSA, and the Clark County Department of Aviation 
in Las Vegas. The Innovation Checkpoint is an excellent example of the 
public and private sectors working in tandem to support the travel 
experience and as of March 2021, Innovation Checkpoint stakeholders 
have hosted 27 tours with various public and private-sector entities. 
The Innovation Checkpoint was also the opening event for the Future 
Travel Experience, one of LAS' largest conferences, where over 250 
people were in attendance. The continued partnership with the Clark 
County Department of Aviation is paramount in the success of TSA's 
mission at the Innovation Checkpoint.
    The Innovation Checkpoint located in Terminal 3 at LAS allows for 
side-by-side assessment and evaluation of emerging security 
technologies in a live checkpoint environment. Data collected from 
these demonstrations is intended to help develop requirements for 
future innovative capabilities.
    The Innovation Checkpoint showcases several technologies that 
enhance checkpoint security and enhance the passenger experience. There 
are currently four fully operational security lanes in this one-of-a-
kind checkpoint that serves as a demonstration site for TSA to assess 
multiple people, process, and technology enhancements within a live 
checkpoint environment. It allows ITF and RCA Capability Managers to 
test an entire network of unique capabilities at the same time without 
interrupting airport operations and provides an enhanced professional 
experience for TSOs. The technologies being tested at the Innovation 
Checkpoint are designed to work in sync with each other to avoid an 
inefficient security experience.
    Three of the current demonstrations at the Innovation Checkpoint 
are centered around Customer Movement Analytics. These technologies 
currently in the queue, on Lane 1 and Lane 3, provide increased 
visibility into day-to-day checkpoint operations and foster local TSA's 
ability to optimize the available resources.
    TSA is also testing an integrated Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light 
sanitization system, which is designed to disinfect bins as they go 
through the ASL's automated bin return system. Bins pass through an 
enclosed, metal box where they are exposed to a high-dose of UV-C light 
proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19.
    The Innovation Checkpoint Lane 3 and 4 host an Enhanced Advanced 
Imaging Technology (eAIT) scanner which screens travelers with their 
arms at their side instead of having to lift them over their head while 
being screened and displays an on-screen prompt if the traveler is 
improperly positioned, allowing officers to provide corrective 
feedback.
    Finally, LAS is also using digital signage totems at the Innovation 
Checkpoint. These totems, which are completely programmable and can be 
populated with any approved information, currently display checkpoint 
wait times and divestment instructions to enhance both communication 
and the passenger experience.
    TSA's Capital Investment Plan seeks to continue to invest in 
technology that can increase passenger throughput, meet current 
detection standards, and connect to a secure network. We will also 
invest in research and development for next-generation technologies.
    TSA is dedicated to enhancing security and improving the passenger 
experience as travel increases to pre-pandemic levels. Through its 
consistent assessments of technologies, policies, and processes, TSA is 
able to ensure that we can effectively carry out our mission of 
protecting the Nation's transportation systems and ensuring freedom of 
movement for people and commerce. We are grateful for the support of 
Congress that has enabled us to continue to advance and improve the 
technology and tools we provide our front-line workforce to ensure the 
secure and efficient screening of passengers.
    Thank you for the opportunity to testify. I look forward to 
answering your questions.

    Chairman Thompson. I thank the witnesses for their 
testimony.
    I will remind each Member that he or she will have 5 
minutes to question the witnesses.
    I now recognize myself for questions.
    Let me say, the tour I had yesterday was quite informative. 
As I kind-of commented, some of us remember the pat-downs, the 
puffer, the backscatter, and you know, we have come a long way. 
The innovation center was wonderful, the seamless processes 
between the airlines and CBP for passenger border, tremendous. 
So I compliment the whole team here at Harry Reid for the job 
you are doing.
    So the question is, are there some other things, Ms. Burke, 
that you think Members of Congress could do to enhance this 
continued technological development as you see fit?
    Ms. Burke. Yes. I think there are two things. Maybe most 
important at this point is the issue of pay equity for our 
employees because of the fact that we are struggling trying to 
hire. It is very important for us to have a very professional 
work force that is well-compensated. I would tell you Nevada is 
probably a good example. Here in Las Vegas we have been able to 
hire to the number that we have needed, but in Reno I have not 
been able to hire almost a single person, and we have been 
working for probably the last 8 months in order to try to 
recruit. It is because of the competition from companies that 
have established themselves in Reno that pay $3 or $4 more an 
hour, that have benefits as good as the Government and also--
you know, Tesla would be an example--even provide stock 
options. So to compete against that is very difficult. Across 
our system I know we are having some of the same problems.
    So your bill, H.R. 903, would be excellent for us in order 
to be able to continue to move forward.
    In addition to that, of course yesterday I showed you that 
we have lots of great technology that we need to continue to 
fund to be able to be able to roll out and refine. Some of the 
money that has been approved will allow us to make some of that 
equipment just be even better than it is right now. With that 
support I believe there is no stopping. The passenger 
processing in the airport will be very exciting as opposed to 
people sometimes not wanting to go through.
    Chairman Thompson. Well, thank you much. You will be happy 
to know that all the Members on the panel voted for H.R. 903 so 
that our TSOs cannot just become a part of the Federal system 
per se in terms of pay scale, but we need to treat them like we 
do the majority of other Federal employees. This would be a way 
to do. They would receive a 30 percent increase in pay right 
off the bat if that bill passes. That challenge you are having 
in Reno might not--your member here, Ms. Titus, has been very, 
very helpful to us in that situation. But it is the right thing 
to do. I was impressed with how the TSOs took pride in 
explaining the technology.
    Ms. Burke. Yes.
    Chairman Thompson. You know, I felt kind-of bad saying but 
we really ought to be paying you a little more.
    Ms. Burke. Mm-hmm.
    Chairman Thompson. So, you know, that is how you really 
appreciate an employee, you pay them. So I--we all support 
that.
    Mr. Martel, COVID-19 has affected the ability to process 
international travels. How has CBP addressed those challenges?
    Mr. Martel. Sir, internally, this CBP has worked very 
closely with DHS and with HHS to establish protocols in terms 
of keeping our employees safe, keeping our employees well-
informed on social distancing protocols, acquiring personal 
protective equipment, hand sanitizer, that all the employees 
operating within airports, sea ports, and land/border part have 
the equipment that they need to not only keep themselves safe 
but to keep travelers safe. We have also worked with port 
authorities, with facility managers in disinfecting our work 
spaces, especially doing more redundant and more frequent 
disinfections in high-traffic areas, like our secondary 
admissibility areas.
    We have has a robust campaign in educating the staff in 
terms of keeping themselves safe, not only at work but at home. 
We continue to do that as we are progressing through the 
pandemic and as we see the various iterations of the variants 
that spike, occasionally spike in different cities. But we have 
a very robust platform, a very robust response for ensuring 
that we are adhering to all of the recommended guidance from 
the CDC, keeping our employees safe and ensuring that the 
general public understand that we are here to protect them as 
well.
    Chairman Thompson. Well, thank you very much. Thank both of 
your for your responses.
    I now recognize the gentleman from California for 5 
minutes, Mr. Correa.
    Mr. Correa. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank my 
colleague, Ms. Titus, for inviting us to her district.
    I must say that there is an allegation that before I got to 
Congress I also had a life and I may have visited your city way 
too many times. So I probably--I can imagine a lot of those 
bricks that built these buildings probably have my name on 
them.
    But I represent southern California--Anaheim Angels, 
Anaheim Ducks, and Disneyland. Our lifeblood in my district is 
tourism. Disneyland by itself accounts for about 20,000 direct 
jobs, 99 percent of them being union. So COVID really 
devastated our economy.
    Mr. Martel, your testimony, you stated the facts, which are 
we have gone from travel restrictions based on country to 
global vaccination requirements for non-U.S. citizens coming to 
the United States. As we move to a possible spike in the summer 
season of COVID-19, what can we do first of all to keep our 
employees, our travelers safe in terms of coming into the 
United States? What else can we do as the Federal Government?
    No. 2, how can we get the message out to the rest of the 
world that we continue to employ very safe standards when it 
comes to COVID-19 and that we continue to be open for business?
    Mr. Martel. Sir, thank you for your question.
    Again, to reiterate, I think that we--I believe that we 
have implemented robust protocols internally in concert with 
CDC in keeping our employees safe. I think that for purposes of 
communicating that to the public, we will continue to have a 
messaging campaign to ensure that the public is well aware of 
what the requirements are. It is an unknown as to how COVID-19 
or its variants will affect us in the immediate future, but we 
do not anticipate any reversal--or I am not aware of any 
reversal, any change to the current vaccination policy. So I 
don't see us reverting back to previous travel restrictions.
    Mr. Correa. Mr. Martel, if I can interrupt your answer, the 
majority--the No. 1 international source of travel through my 
district is through Mexico. I get a lot of phone calls from 
people from outside the country saying can we travel, what do 
we need to do. So there is still a lot of, you know, 
apprehension about coming to the United States as tourists 
because folks are not quite sure that even if they have a visa 
if they are going to be able to get past the border to get into 
the United States.
    So I am trying to figure out how we can help you help our 
industry, tourist industry, get the message out that if you 
have your vaccinations you can come to the United States.
    Mr. Martel. Sir, I believe that that can be done in concert 
with DHS, CBP, and the Department of State and all of the 
agencies that are involved in granting visas or in fostering, 
encouraging travel, getting the message out that essential and 
non-essential travel is allowable from Mexico so long as----
    Mr. Correa. And other----
    Mr. Martel [continuing]. Travelers have vaccinations. I 
think it would be a messaging campaign that we could do 
internally with the consulates, the affected consulates, but I 
think there could be a broader messaging campaign that perhaps 
Members of Congress could support.
    Mr. Correa. Would you say there is a role there too for 
private entities, like the U.S. Travel Association, Vegas 
Travel Association, oversea travel to have a coordinated 
message to makes sense to folks wanting to come to the United 
States and enjoy what we have to offer?
    Mr. Martel. Yes, sir. I believe that would be beneficial.
    Mr. Correa. Do I have any time left?
    Chairman Thompson. One more question.
    Mr. Correa. Ms. Burke, just wanted to thank you very much 
for putting out the obvious, which is pay equity is important 
for our employees. I say that because of hiring--not only 
hiring, but retention. We want the best trained, the most 
experienced work force taking care of our society and 
protecting us. Beyond pay equity, is there anything else we can 
do to make sure you can retain your workers?
    Ms. Burke. I believe some of the technology that we have 
talked about and we showed off yesterday, if you were able to 
yesterday hear some of the TSOs speak about the experience that 
they have with passengers as they are going through equipment 
that makes the process easy, quite seamless, they are excited 
because the passengers are happy. So their environment will be 
improved significantly in working with our public if the 
equipment is continued to be procured and able to be 
distributed. It is a game-changing situation that we have got 
with the improved technology and it is not going to be that 
long a period of time before we are able to truly change the 
experience that the passenger has.
    So I think if you had pay equity and you also had what I 
would call an improved working environment because your 
passengers are happy, that is probably the very best formula we 
have.
    Mr. Correa. Thank you, Ms. Burke.
    Mr. Chairman, I yield.
    Chairman Thompson. The gentleman yields.
    The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri, Mr. 
Cleaver, for 5 minutes.
    Mr. Cleaver. Well, let me first of all thank you, Mr. 
Chairman, for this hearing. I am excited about it and I have to 
control my excitement because I have so many questions I want 
to raise. I thank our colleague, Ms. Titus, for inviting us 
here.
    I did a wedding in Mexico Friday and I came back yesterday 
and landed at DFW. But before I left Mexico I had to take a 
COVID shot--I mean--I am sorry, a COVID exam, but when I landed 
in Dallas nobody asked me for anything. I just--I walked just 
right through after I went through Customs. Customs did not ask 
for anything. Is that--did I miss something or is this--or did 
somebody mess up? Because there were 7 people in my party and 
none of us were asked to give the paperwork. I don't--I mean I 
am--you are not responsible, I am just--I am just trying to 
find out what is required and what is not.
    Mr. Martel. Sir, thank you for your question.
    I do not believe you missed anything. Our current travel 
policy, the airlines are responsible for adjudicating 
vaccinations. So upon your arrival our officers would not 
necessarily ask you whether or not you have been--if you have 
had a COVID shot.
    Mr. Cleaver. OK. Thank you. I feel better.
    Now, look, I am not Fred Flinstone, I am not troglodytic, 
but, you know, the biometric technology is amazing when I read 
about it. Are you hearing any apprehensions about the same 
thing we heard about taking the COVID shot, that this is an 
invasion of my privacy, I ought to be able to do what I want to 
do, and so forth? When somebody--you know, voice recognition, I 
think visual recognition--and probably something else I can't 
even remember--are there any concerns or complaints as we move 
into this biotechnology era? Either one.
    Mr. Martel. Sir, from the CBP side of the house, not a lot 
of apprehension or concern. Obviously there are travelers that 
opt out and decide that they do not want to subject themselves 
to facial comparison, but for the most part and based on my 
experience within my field office, the traveling public have 
been very receptive. In fact they actually like the ease with 
which they can be processed through facial comparison as 
opposed to having to go through the administrative process of 
presenting documents or having to pull identifications out. We 
have heard nothing but good things from the traveling public as 
well as stakeholders and airlines on the efficiency that 
biometric technology has done to improve air travel.
    Mr. Cleaver. Thank you.
    I am wondering--I mean this is obviously a high-traffic 
airport. We are opening up a new airport in Kansas City 
hopefully. It seems like we have been working on it for 36 
years, but I think we are scheduled to open next year. I am 
hoping at least that we are thinking futuristically and how can 
we make this one of the most secure airports in the country. If 
someone asks you some suggestions on technology that would make 
it a smoother place through which travelers went, what would 
you suggest, Ms. Burke?
    Ms. Burke. Well, there have been several airports that have 
had major renovations or new airports. We are able to really 
have, for instance, airport directors, come here to visit. We 
put them through the innovation checkpoint so they can look at 
all the new technology. Now, it depends upon how big your purse 
is, but if you have the ability, for instance, to purchase some 
ASLs to go along with the CTs, or AITs that are more advanced, 
you can donate those TSA and be able to install them in your 
airport. We at this point don't have all the funding available 
to be able to do that in every place, but the airports can take 
that initiative and many of them have, whether it be at Salt 
Lake or LaGuardia or other places that have very new 
facilities. They have been able to develop funding and be able 
to donate that equipment at the highest technology that we 
have.
    Mr. Cleaver. Do you happen to know whether KCI has come 
through?
    Ms. Burke. They have not been through here yet, but I 
certainly invite them and would love to have anybody who is 
interested in getting a tour, because I think it is so 
marvelous to see the kind of progress that we have been able to 
make and the opportunity that is there.
    Mr. Cleaver. I will make sure to make the request and I 
will come back with them. Try to get us scheduled at time when 
the Temptations are going to be in a show.
    I yield back, Mr. Chairman.
    Chairman Thompson. Thank you very much.
    The Chair recognizes Mr. Langevin from Rhode Island for 5 
minutes.
    Mr. Langevin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank our 
witnesses for their testimony today.
    I will begin with Mr. Martel if I could. CBP reported a 97 
percent match rate for biometric processing in fiscal year 
2021. I wanted to know, what are the false positive and false 
negative rates of biometric identifications systems used at 
U.S. airports? Are there certain factors that cause these rates 
to increase with certain passenger groups?
    Thank you for holding this very important hearing, Mr. 
Chairman.
    Mr. Martel. Sir, with regard to your question, I would have 
to defer to the subject-matter experts to provide a technical 
response with match rates and what goes into how people match 
versus how we have mismatches. We can certainly get back to you 
at that, sir.
    Mr. Langevin. OK. I look forward to those responses. I 
think understanding those false positive and false negative 
rates are very important to a confidence that the system is 
working as it should.
    But, Mr. Martel or Ms. Burke, for what duration and with 
what security controls are in place does DHS store biometric 
passenger data?
    Ms. Burke. Well, TSA has a policy with regard to any of the 
information from biometric processing that we, as soon as the 
passenger leaves, that TDC position, we delete the information. 
So we do not maintain it at all, which from a privacy 
standpoint we felt was the best position to be able to take to 
make sure there was no concern.
    Mr. Langevin. I see. So no storing of data whatsoever?
    Ms. Burke. No.
    Mr. Langevin. OK. Well, that answers my question. That is 
something else that is very important. The privacy concerns, as 
well as--I thought this was going to be a cybersecurity risk 
here and I wanted to understand the level of risk and that we 
were taking extraordinary steps to protect the information. But 
if we are not storing it, all the better.
    Mr. Chairman, I think those are my questions for right now, 
so I will yield back the balance of my time.
    Again I thank our witnesses for their testimony today and 
for the work that they are doing on behalf of the country.
    Mr. Chairman, again, thank you for--and the Ranking Member 
for holding this hearing.
    I yield back.
    Chairman Thompson. Thank you very much.
    Mr. Martel, did you want to respond to the other half of 
that?
    Mr. Martel. Yes, sir. Thank you.
    Sir, I would say for U.S. citizens the images that go into 
the cloud are deleted in short order or immediately, but they 
are kept no longer than 12 hours by policy. For visitors, it is 
the same accord, but they are kept no longer than 14 days.
    We have protocols in place to ensure that these images are 
being deleted from our systems. We have audits in place to 
ensure that that process is being done not only internally but 
by the carriers that may possess that information, you know, 
for purposes of boarding people biometrically.
    We have conducted and have privacy risk assessments to 
ensure that we have all the proper encryption, security 
protocols in place to ensure the privacy of international 
travelers.
    Chairman Thompson. Thank you very much.
    Mr. Langevin. Very good. Thank you.
    Chairman Thompson. Thank you.
    The Chair recognizes our host Congress Member, Ms. Titus, 
for 5 minutes.
    Ms. Titus. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the 
witnesses.
    All this technology is great. I think I am a Luddite. I am 
not sure about the Reverend, but I am low-tech. So I appreciate 
what all you all do. But I want to take a step back before you 
encounter the technology. With international travelers, here at 
Harry Reid, they often land--these planes land in the middle of 
the night and then the people are left on the tarmac because 
there is nobody to receive them, nobody to check their papers. 
They wait for hours. This is not a good experience as we try to 
increase international tourism.
    I think that you will from the convention center, they have 
even offered to pay overtime to get some of the officers there 
so people could be processed sooner.
    Is there any way, I would ask you, Mr. Martel, to have some 
kind of collaborative agreement so we can get people to be 
there and check people in? Then they can take advantage of all 
this technology. But we have got to get them off the plane 
first to have somebody there to greet them.
    Mr. Martel. Ma'am, thank you for your question.
    Yes, we work very closely with the airlines as well as the 
convention center to ensure that any air carriers or flights 
that are coming in not only have approved landing rights, but 
that we are coordinating the arrival times so that no one is 
left waiting on board and people are allowed to come into the 
Federal inspection service area. We historically have adjusted 
our hours when requested to help accommodate that. But we have 
also established the Reimbursable Services Program here at 
Harry Reid so in the even that a flight is arriving well before 
or well after hours, outside of our normal operating hours, 
there is a mechanism in which the airline, through the Port 
Authority, can pay for the staffing that is needed to clear the 
flight.
    Again, we do our best to try to do that on shift or with 
our own resources, but when--in situations were we need to, we 
will rely on the RSP program.
    Ms. Titus. Anything to add to that, Ms. Burke?
    Ms. Burke. I believe with arrivals we actually staff 24 
hours a day and we look at the flight schedules before-hand so 
that we know exactly what carrier arrival patterns are so that 
we are in a position to be able to have people available to do 
any processing. Perhaps an internal group has a connection and 
they are going on to another destination, we will always have 
the staffing available because of the fact that we do staff 24 
hours a day. It is far more limited in the wee hours of the 
morning to have passengers to process, but that is certainly 
one of the things we take great pride in working with the 
airlines closely to make sure we know those schedules and if 
there is any deviation, they notify our coordination centers so 
that we can adjust and make sure that we have adequate people.
    Ms. Titus. As we try to get more international flights into 
Las Vegas, I think that will be important. Maybe look at those 
arrangements, if we can enhance them anyway.
    I know that TSA works well with PreCheck and all, but we 
have heard more complaints about Global Entry. One of the 
problems seems to be the backlog in the application process. 
Some of that was COVID, some I don't know. Maybe you can 
address it.
    Mr. Martel, are you trying to do anything about that 
backlog? Have you gotten it down? How can we help?
    Mr. Martel. Yes, ma'am. Thank you for the question.
    CBP has been working on addressing the backlog. We have 
done this through remote interviews for Global Entry renewals, 
we have been advocating enrollment on arrival at over 100 
airports. So as I said earlier, we process roughly 160,000 
travelers that way. But we are also expanding our enrollment 
centers, we are opening up new enrollment centers at different 
locations. Within my AOR we are opening up two new enrollment 
centers to help adjudicate and reduce the backlog.
    So we are actively involved. That is happening across the 
Nation at different ports of entry.
    Ms. Titus. Thank you.
    One last question, going back to Mr. Langevin, talking 
about the privacy and the technology. It is often whack-a-mole, 
you come up with a new technology and then the criminal 
elements learn how to take advantage of it and then you have 
got to keep moving.
    Have you had this experience? How do you deal with it? Is 
it a problem? Both of you.
    Ms. Burke. I was going to say, for TSA we continually test. 
In fact, an example that we gave yesterday was we had law 
enforcement come with a bag full of fake credentials, and some 
of them very sophisticated, and the equipment that we have and 
the software caught every one of them. So the ability to be 
accurate has gotten to be very sophisticated and very limited 
opportunity for people to be able to access with fake 
credentials.
    Mr. Martel. Ma'am, on the CBP side I agree with Ms. Burke. 
Our technology actually has improved our ability to detect 
imposters, to detect false documents. The facial comparison 
technology is phenomenal and it rules out the human error part. 
So I would say, if anything, this technology has been put in 
place to enhance security and to ensure that we are addressing 
those very same concerns.
    Ms. Titus. Thank you.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    Chairman Thompson. The gentlelady yields back.
    The Chair recognizes the gentlelady from New Jersey, Ms. 
Watson Coleman.
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you 
Rep. Titus for inviting us. I wish I were there. I wish I had 
the opportunity to see all of the things that you are talking 
about because I don't have that technical vision in my head. So 
I need to see it for myself.
    But I do have a couple of quick questions.
    Mr. Martel, when I first got on this committee, Mr. 
Thompson used to raise this question of biometrics and 
inaccuracy as related to identifying people of color, as to who 
they are. Have things changed so that there is less error? 
Because I haven't heard Mr. Thompson ask about this question 
today. I am just wondering, has something remarkably improved 
so that that is not an issue or a complaint?
    Mr. Martel.
    Mr. Martel. Ma'am, I am not entirely informed or 
knowledgeable on that particular issue. I can certainly look 
into it and get back to you on if there has been any 
differences with regard to how the technology works based on 
color.
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. Thank you.
    What about you, Ms. Burke?
    Ms. Burke. I also would have to refer to the technical 
issues and the experts and would be glad to get back to you 
with some information.
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. Thank you.
    Mr. Martel, Mr. Cleaver asked you a question, he said that 
when he returned from Mexico no one queried him as to whether 
or not he has his COVID vaccines or a COVID test. You commented 
that people come on international flight have to be vaccinated. 
But that didn't happen in this case. Is that because he is an 
American citizen? Or did I misunderstand your answer to his 
question?
    Mr. Martel. No, you did not, ma'am. That is correct.
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. So if you are an American----
    Mr. Martel. He is----
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. I am sorry. What is correct?
    Mr. Martel. Ma'am, the vaccination requirement at airports, 
they are--the responsibility is placed on the airline to ensure 
that any documents that are required are in order. They do that 
in consultation with the CDC. So upon arrival in the air 
environment we would not necessarily ask for that information.
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. So even international travelers that 
you said must be vaccinated in order to come into our country, 
you don't ask that. By the mere fact that they came in on that 
airplane, that airline has already taken care of that issue? Is 
that what you are saying?
    Mr. Martel. That is correct, ma'am.
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. OK. Last kind-of question I have is--
and that is for both of you--are you both really under--are you 
really, really understaffed? If so, to what degree? I want to 
know how to be helpful.
    Mr. Martel. Ma'am, from the CBP----
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. Are you down 500, are you down 900, 
are you down--what?
    Mr. Martel. On the CBP side, ma'am, in terms of the 
staffing, the actual vacancies, I would have to get back to you 
with those actual numbers. What I can say is that although we 
support the President's budget, as international travel resumes 
and as passenger counts meet or exceed pre-pandemic levels, CBP 
could certainly or can always use additional staffing.
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. Thank you.
    Ms. Burke, could you respond?
    Ms. Burke. Yes. First, I would respond locally to say that, 
again, what we did was to overhire at McCarran so that we could 
loan people to Reno.
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. Mm-hmm.
    Ms. Burke. So we have balanced out between our State the 
resources that we need to be fully staffed.
    From a system standpoint, and I could not give you an exact 
number, but we have many large cities that have had many of the 
problems others are having in trying to hire. So we are under 
what would be an ideal amount of manpower and we are doing our 
best to spread the resources, as I have done in Nevada, across 
the entire country. So we may have--somebody has an overage, we 
may share that with another airport in order to bring them up 
to a higher level of staffing. That is kind-of our mitigation 
plan as we go into this summer. But solving that problem----
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. Yes, we would have to pay additional 
costs associated with moving that employee, right?
    Ms. Burke. Yes. You would have an additional cost for that 
period. It is a short-term solution and hopefully we will find 
the longer-term solution with the bill that has been proposed 
by Chairman Thompson.
    Mrs. Watson Coleman. Thank you. I certainly am within 
support of that bill.
    Thank you. I think my time is up.
    I yield back.
    Chairman Thompson. Thank you very much. The gentlelady 
yields back.
    The Chair recognizes the gentlelady from Florida, Mrs. 
Demings, for 5 minutes.
    Mrs. Demings. Well, thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. Look, 
as a former police chief, I won't confirm or deny how many 
times I have been to Las Vegas, but I do appreciate Ms. Titus 
for hosting us today and so appreciate our witnesses. Chairman, 
as always, thank you for your leadership.
    I too represent Orlando, Florida, one of the busiest 
airports. I was also assigned to Orlando International for 
several years as a police captain. I was assigned during 9/11, 
so I have certainly had an opportunity to work with CBP as well 
as involved in the formulation discussions and plans for the 
TSA. So this subject is of course very, very important to me. 
You know, we are so excited about the technologies. It 
certainly has changed the way that we now do business in terms 
of employees being able to be much more efficient, I think 
effective, but also in terms of our level of security. But I 
certainly believe that our most important resource is and 
always will be the boots on the ground, the men and women who 
do the job.
    Ms. Burke, I have heard you talk about some of the 
challenges in terms of pay, with some of the private 
corporations that are much more enticing. I understand that. In 
Orlando, like Las Vegas and Los Angeles, the cost of living has 
certainly increased and the general schedule locality pay has 
failed to reflect local market conditions. So I would think 
that as persons are looking where they are going to work or 
where they are going to live, that certainly comes into play.
    So I would love to hear from both of you how that has 
affected your ability to recruit, but I would also like to hear 
a little bit more about your attrition rates and what are some 
of the other reasons that the men and women of your various 
agencies will stay or leave.
    Ms. Burke. [Audio malfunction] California, it is much 
higher. So sometimes we pull people from California that want 
to work in Nevada and the advantage--one advantage we have, it 
doesn't match the California rate, but we don't have State tax 
here. So every State is unique with what it has to offer in the 
way of a total compensation package. But we found that most of 
our workers we hire locally, they are established in Las Vegas, 
they intend to stay here.
    We have with the rates of pay being a challenge found that 
our turnover rate has been up over 25 percent in a number of 
months this year. It goes in spurts. But we have been able--we 
are a service-oriented kind of city, and so we do have a number 
of workers who are anxious to be hired by the government. We 
still have very strong benefits to offer compared to some other 
of the casinos, et cetera, in comparison.
    So I think that is why we have been a little more 
successful here in being able to hire, just because our 
packages can be quite good. But other cities, that is not true. 
So, again, the bigger problem, it really has to be addressed in 
a different way than just the individual situation here in 
Nevada.
    Mrs. Demings. Thank you.
    Mr. Martel.
    Mr. Martel. Thank you for the question, ma'am.
    Well, I could tell you from my experience in the Los 
Angeles field office, you know, we did struggle many years ago 
with hiring individuals into Los Angeles on these National 
announcements that recruited people from other States. About 
2\1/2\-3 years ago we began a local campaign to hire Angelinos, 
or people who reside in California as opposed to doing National 
announcements and in addition to that we also began heavy 
recruiting of veterans through our veteran recruitment 
announcements. I can say that that really turned our vacancy 
rate and offset our attrition rates tremendously. We carried an 
attrition rate years before of 10 percent, sometimes more, 
based on our inability to hire people because of the cost of 
living in Los Angeles. I am happy to say that today I am fully 
staffed, and not only fully staffed because of the local 
efforts by the men and women of the Los Angeles field office 
who are involved in our recruitment methods, but we have a very 
healthy and robust pipeline for, you know, the coming months, 
the coming year in terms of people who are ready, available, 
and have passed, you know, our preliminary requirements for 
employment.
    But to your point, ma'am that does continue to be a 
challenge Nation-wide. I think that each field office does 
things differently. But from the Los Angeles perspective, we 
have really taken a local approach to not only recruit people 
from the greater Los Angeles area, but also capitalize on the 
men and women who have proudly served our country in our Armed 
Forces.
    Mrs. Demings. Thank you so much.
    Mr. Chairman, I believe my time is up. Thank you.
    Chairman Thompson. The gentlelady yields.
    Let me thank our first panel of witnesses. You have been 
thoughtful, you have laid it out. Thank you very much for the 
work you do on a daily basis. As I said, I saw first-hand the 
good work and I look forward to that good work continuing. Our 
committee feels very strongly about your missions. Let me say 
that the question both the last two individuals kind-of asked, 
and you gave the right answer, but--you know, they said do you 
have everything you need personnel-wise and money-wise, and you 
did a two-step, just like we expected you to do. But we 
understand. But we have to ask the question. I appreciate your 
answer. The two-step gives us exactly what we need to know. Our 
commitment to you is to give you exactly what you need to do 
your job. I assure you that we will continue to do that.
    Thank you very much.
    At this time I will excuse you and we will ask our second 
panel of witnesses to come forward. After they assemble we will 
get the gentlelady from Nevada, Ms. Titus, an opportunity to 
introduce them.
    Thank you very much.
    The gentlelady from Nevada is recognized.
    Ms. Titus. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
    It is a real pleasure for me to introduce to you these next 
two witnesses.
    First we have Kate Wik, who is the chief marketing officer 
for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, LVCVA. In 
this capacity she is responsible for directing and overseeing 
efforts to promote travel to the world's most desirable city, 
Las Vegas, for leisure and business travel. Previously Ms. Wik 
spent nearly a decade with MGM Resorts International to develop 
their global brand strategy and consumer outreach. So I am 
eager to hear from her about how the Convention Authority is 
positioning itself to begin this renewed push for travel 
internationally and Nationally.
    Our other panelist is Rosemary Vassiliadis--you met 
yesterday--who is the amazing director of aviation for Clark 
County. This is a role she has held since 2013. She oversees 
all operations at the airport as well as four general aviation 
airports in North Las Vegas, Henderson, Jean, and Overton. 
Notably, she is the first woman to hold this director position. 
She has been deeply involved in aviation activities in and 
around Las Vegas for years, including serving as an appointee 
to Nevada's Homeland Security Commission. As a member of the 
Homeland Security Commission she has had an inside look at how 
we do things in Nevada, and especially in the aviation space. 
So I think it will be very worthwhile for this committee to 
hear from her.
    So I present to you Ms. Wik and Ms. Vassiliadis.
    Chairman Thompson. Thank you. Without objection, the 
witnesses' full statements will be inserted in the record.
    I now ask Ms. Wik to summarize her statement for 5 minutes.
    Ms. Wik. Thank you.
    Chairman Thompson. Ms. Wik.
    Ms. Wik. Yes. Thank you.

   STATEMENT OF KATE WIK, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, LAS VEGAS 
               CONVENTION AND VISITORS AUTHORITY

    Ms. Wik. Chairman Thompson, Representative Titus, and 
distinguished Members of the committee, thank you for the 
opportunity to share relevant information on Las Vegas tourism 
as an input to your larger review.
    I serve as the chief marketing officer for the Convention 
and Visitors Authority here. Our mission is to attract visitors 
from all over the globe by promoting Las Vegas as the world's 
most desirable destination for leisure and business travel.
    For context about the size and scale of Las Vegas, of the 
world's 20 largest hotels, more than half are right here in Las 
Vegas. Across the entire destination here, there are 
approximately 150,000 rooms to fill, roughly 20,000 more than 
Orlando or New York City for context.
    Tourism is our No. 1 economic driver. Pre-pandemic, tourism 
provided $36.9 billion in direct economic impact and nearly $64 
billion in total economic impact per year to our economy. Las 
Vegas is more dependent on hospitality employment than any 
other large metro area in the Nation. This reality was 
magnified over the past 2 years. In the depths of the pandemic 
our unemployment rate exceeded twice the National rate at peak. 
The pandemic crippled our local economy and crippled our 
community and specifically, when visitation does not flow, it 
affects the livelihood of the estimated 2.3 million residents.
    Managing through the pandemic has been anything but 
business as usual and I am happy to report that 2021 occupancy 
levels ended the year roughly 20 points higher than the 
National average. Visitor volume rebounded in 2021 to 75 
percent recovered and as of last month visitation has recovered 
to roughly 85 percent of 2019 levels.
    Compared to the overall picture, however, the international 
segment has been slower to recover. In 2019 we welcomed 5.7 
million international visitors, accounting for 13 percent of 
our total visitation. Pre-pandemic this resulted in $4.8 
billion in direct economic impact and $8.3 billion in total 
impact. Preliminary data suggests that international visitation 
in 2021 was just over a million travelers. That is about 20 
percent less than pre-COVID volumes. Pre-pandemic Las Vegas 
regularly hosted more overnight international overnight 
visitors than any U.S. city that is not a major port of entry 
and ranked as the fifth top U.S. destination for international 
visitors.
    Providing air service access is critical to the overall 
destination health and to realize the full impact of tourism. 
As of this June 2022 domestic air service to Las Vegas will be 
more than fully recovered. In fact, Las Vegas will soon have 12 
more direct domestic flights than June 2019. That said, we 
still have more work to do. International air service to Las 
Vegas will only be 79 percent recovered in international 
capacity and will only recover 70 percent of international 
markets.
    This continues to be one of our top priorities and there is 
a simple reason why. International visitors spend 40 percent 
more on average than domestic visitors. International 
visitation supports both business and leisure segments for us. 
For more than 26 consecutive years Las Vegas hosted the most 
top U.S. trade shows, and trade shows are global in scale. As 
one example, CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, typically they 
welcome over a third of their attendees from international 
markets. When these large global trade shows are hosted in Las 
Vegas, the destination has benefited from air carriers 
scheduling temporary additional flights and larger size 
aircraft from select international markets. The flexibility in 
collaboration with our DHS counterparts have been vital to 
facilitate these flights and accommodate the demand for these 
large shows.
    On the leisure front, the expanding breadth of sports and 
entertainment will continue to draw visitors from across the 
globe. In December Las Vegas was awarded and named host city 
for Superbowl LVIII in 2024. In March Las Vegas and Formula One 
jointly announced a new Las Vegas Grand Prix for the 2023 race 
season. As as context, each Grand Prix is comparable to the 
size of a Superbowl. With Vegas, Formula One will now have 23 
races in 21 different countries. Our event here is expected to 
attract over 170,000 visitors from across the globe and drive 
additional tourism above and beyond race week.
    These marquee and high-profile events not only drive 
incremental visitation, they bring a very affluent traveler to 
market. These events often drive an increased demand of private 
aircraft on already peak travel periods.
    In summary, Las Vegas is poised to continue to grow with 
domestic visitation well on its way to pre-COVID volumes. 
International visitation must be our focus to ensure success 
and ultimate recovery. This is a team effort. Our job at the 
LVCVA continues to be to drive demand to this incredible 
destination and I am thankful that our partners in Congress, 
including Congresswoman Titus, are actively engaging to ensure 
resources, staffing, and innovative processes and practices 
needed allow our Federal partners to keep up with our growing 
demand.
    The LVCVA works in close partnership with Harry Reid 
International Airport and Director Rosemary Vassiliadis. We are 
grateful for our partnership and our common goals of not just 
returning but growing international visitation. As a united 
team, all of us can build the Las Vegas economy back even 
better, supporting more visitors, more jobs, and more economic 
impact.
    Thank you.
    [The prepared statement of Ms. Wik follows:]
                     Prepared Statement of Kate Wik
                              May 24, 2022
                   introduction and lvcva background
    Chairman Thompson, Representative Titus, and distinguished Members 
of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear today to 
share relevant information on Las Vegas Tourism as an input to your 
review of the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to improve 
processing for international visitors.
    My name is Kate Wik. I serve as the chief marketing officer for the 
Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority.
    Our mission is to attract visitors from all over the globe by 
promoting Las Vegas as the world's most desirable destination for 
leisure and business travel.
                             tourism impact
    Tourism is the region's No. 1 economic driver. Pre-pandemic, 
tourism provided $36.9 billion in DIRECT economic impact and 
contributed nearly $63.6 billion in TOTAL economic impact per year to 
our economy.
    There are many types of jobs impacted by tourism: Direct and 
indirect including induced jobs. We conservatively estimate that 37 
percent of Southern Nevada jobs are supported by tourism, representing 
more than 376,800 Southern Nevada workers (direct, indirect, and 
induced).
    Las Vegas is more dependent on leisure and hospitality employment 
than any other large metro area in the Nation. And, this reality was 
magnified with the pandemic. In the depths of the pandemic, Las Vegas' 
unemployment rate exceeded 31 percent, more than twice the National 
rate of 14.7 percent.
    The shut-down crippled the local economy and crippled our 
community. When visitation does not flow, it affects the livelihood of 
the estimated 2.3 million Clark County residents.
                      size and scale of las vegas
    Las Vegas was built to operate in high volume. Of the world's 
largest 20 hotels, more than half are in Las Vegas alone. And within 
the United States, that is only further magnified. Of the United 
States' 20 largest hotels, only 3 are NOT in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has 
concentrated volume, like no other destination. In a concentrated area 
of the 5-mile ``Las Vegas Strip,'' there are 36 hotels with over 1,000 
rooms.
    Across the entire Las Vegas destination, there are approximately 
150,000 rooms to fill, 365 days a year. This is roughly 20K more rooms 
than the nearest domestic competitors of Orlando or New York City. For 
comparison, the top U.S. cities by number of hotel rooms include:
   Orlando, Florida: 137,000
   New York, New York: 130,000
   Los Angeles, California: 115,000.
    And, Las Vegas hotel rooms are occupied at a higher rate than the 
National average. Las Vegas occupancy, pre-COVID approached 89 percent 
and the U.S. Domestic Average was 66 percent.
    The high volume of hotel rooms combined with high occupancy rates 
directly translates to high annual visitation. In 2019, Las Vegas 
welcomed 42.5 million visitors. And, the first 2 months of 2020, prior 
to the pandemic, visitation was already up 4 percent year-over-year, 
putting Las Vegas on pace to welcome more than 43 million visitors 
during the year.
    Las Vegas is able to operate and sustain high visitation because of 
the overall mix of segments of business. In 2019, the segment mix was:
   Total Visitation: 42.5 million visitors
   Leisure: 35.9 million visitors
   Business: 6.6 million convention attendees
   International: 13 percent or 5.7 million visitors; A core 
        segment for future growth.
                    pandemic recovery & air service
    Managing through and out of the pandemic is anything but business 
as usual. And, Las Vegas leads in pandemic recovery across multiple 
measures.
    I am happy to report that 2021 occupancy levels ended the year 
roughly 20 points higher than the National average. Visitor volume 
rebounded to 32.2 million in 2021, 75 percent recovered from the pre-
COVID tally of 42.5 million visitors in 2019 and up dramatically from 
19 million in 2020. As of last month, visitation has recovered to 
roughly 85 percent of 2019 pre-COVID levels and May and June will see 
that recovery trajectory continue to improve.
    Compared to the overall picture, however, the international segment 
has been slower to recover. In 2019, Las Vegas welcomed 5.7 million 
international visitors--accounting for 13 percent of total visitation. 
Pre-pandemic, this resulted in $4.8 billion in DIRECT economic impact 
and $8.3 billion in TOTAL impact (direct, indirect & induced).
    However, preliminary data suggest international visitation to Las 
Vegas in 2021 was just over 1.1 million travelers, less than 20 percent 
of pre-COVID volumes.
    Providing air service access to Las Vegas is critical to the 
overall destination health and the full impact of tourism. Pre-
pandemic, visitors accessed Las Vegas almost evenly split between drive 
and fly access. For international travelers, the mix is closer to 60 
percent arriving by air with 40 percent by ground.
    Pre-pandemic, Las Vegas regularly hosted more overnight 
international visitors than any U.S. city that is not a major Port of 
Entry. Las Vegas ranks as the fifth top U.S. destination for 
international visitors. And, only New York City, Los Angeles, Orlando, 
and Miami host more annual international travelers.
    As of June 2022, domestic air service to Las Vegas has more than 
fully recovered, with 127 domestic markets, 110 percent of 2019 
service. In fact, Las Vegas will soon have 12 more direct domestic 
markets than June 2019.
    This recovery is supported in large part by the leadership of our 
Congressional delegation, including Congresswoman Titus. She and other 
key members of the Nevada delegation worked tirelessly to keep Las 
Vegas and its workforce at the table during COVID relief negotiations, 
despite political headwinds from other sectors of our Nation's economy. 
The Federal funding ultimately provided through the American Rescue 
Plan Act, or ARPA, is helping to build infrastructure vital to Nevada's 
economic recovery.
    That said, we have more work to do. International air service to 
Las Vegas will be only 79 percent recovered in international capacity. 
And, will have recovered 70 percent of the international markets from 
pre-pandemic from 8 out of 10 previous countries.
    Las Vegas will enjoy nonstop service from 15 different carriers 
from 18 international destinations, including those in Canada, Mexico, 
United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Panama, and Switzerland. 
Beginning in July 2022, Korean Air will resume flights from Seoul, 
South Korea to Las Vegas with a 3x weekly flight schedule.
    International recovery continues to be one of our top priorities, 
we anticipate being fully recovered by the end of the year and have 
begun to focus on international growth due to its importance to 
Southern Nevada. There's a simple reason why this is so important to 
the Southern Nevada economy: International visitors spend 40 percent on 
average more than domestic visitors.
    From the period of 2010 through 2019, international visitation to 
Las Vegas grew by 29 percent to nearly 5.7 million annual visitors. Las 
Vegas continues to be a ``bucket list'' destination for people world-
wide and we expect visitation to continue to grow into the future. 
Markets of focus for new growth opportunities include:
   Australia.--4th largest foreign point of origin (unserved 
        today), grew 33 percent in the same 2010 through 2019 time 
        period.
   Japan.--5th largest foreign point of origin (unserved 
        today), grew 8 percent over the period.
   Brazil.--9th largest foreign point of origin (unserved 
        today), grew 140 percent over the period.
   Ireland.--11th largest foreign point of origin (unserved 
        today), grew 23 percent over the period.
                driving full recovery and future growth
    Las Vegas is focused on driving growth over pre-pandemic levels. We 
drive demand through an unprecedented product (Vegas, baby!), a robust 
and growing entertainment calendar, and through a growing convention 
and tradeshow segment. All of which appeal to a global audience.
    For more than a quarter century, 26 consecutive years, Las Vegas 
hosted the most top U.S. trade shows by a wide margin, hosting 42 major 
shows, well over our closest competitor at 17 shows. And trade shows 
are global in scale, with many attracting substantial international 
attendance.
    The Consumer Electronics Show, CES, for example, has noted that 
upwards of a third (35 percent) of their attendees were international 
in 2019 (pre-COVID). Other examples include:
   National Assn of Broadcasters.--26 percent int'l in 2019.
   SEMA.--24 percent int'l in 2019.
   National Hardware.--29 percent int'l in 2019.
    When larger trade shows are hosted in Las Vegas, the destination 
has benefited from air carriers scheduling temporary added flights and/
or larger-size aircraft from select international markets. The 
flexibility and collaboration with our DHS counterparts have been vital 
to facilitate these flights.
                     entertainment, sports & events
    Long known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, in recent 
years Las Vegas is more accurately known as the Greatest Arena on 
Earth. The expanding breadth of evolving sports and entertainment 
experiences will continue to draw visitors from across the globe.
    With more than 100 showrooms comprising upwards of 130,000 seats 
and another 27 stadiums and arenas with combined capacity approaching a 
half a million, Las Vegas has more entertainment venues than any other 
city in the United States.
    With its diversity of venues, Las Vegas can host every type of 
headliner or event, from an intimate lounge show featuring Lady Gaga to 
an epic music festival like the Electric Daisy Carnival and its 150,000 
nightly attendees.
    Las Vegas features residencies by the world's most popular artists, 
drawn in by our incredible venues, including Allegiant stadium, 
completed in 2020, which hosted 19 major concerts and sporting events 
just within the second half of 2021.
    And, we continue to pitch and secure new events with global appeal. 
Three recent examples include:
    Concacaf Gold Cup Finals.--Las Vegas was host to the Concacaf Gold 
Cup Finals in August 2021 at Allegiant Stadium. The international 
soccer tournament features men's national teams from North America, 
Central America, and the Caribbean. The tournament is held every 2 
years and determines the continental champion and is broadcast across 
multiple countries. The 62k tickets for the final event in Las Vegas 
sold out in just 90 minutes--a tournament record.
    NFL Super Bowl 58.--In December 2021, Las Vegas was awarded and 
named host city for the NFL marquee sporting event: Super Bowl 58 to be 
held February 2024. While hosting the marquee event is prestigious and 
captures major media attention and is the most watched domestic 
sporting event, research has shown that the event has created more than 
$500 million in total economic impact for the host city, and more than 
350,000 room nights.
    Formula 1.--In March 2022, Las Vegas and Formula 1 jointly 
announced a new Las Vegas Grand Prix for the 2023 Formula 1 race 
season. The Las Vegas Grand Prix will be a marquee event on the Formula 
1 calendar and establishes a third race location in the United States, 
joining Miami and Austin. And, it will be a night race on a street 
track on the iconic Las Vegas Strip. The race is an ideal partnership, 
bringing the excitement and intensity of Formula 1 to the Greatest 
Arena on Earth. Formula 1 is a global sport with a 72-year history. F1 
currently races in 21 countries across 5 continents. The Las Vegas 
event is projected to result in over $400 million in direct incremental 
spend, and over $700 million in total economic impact.
    The Las Vegas race will draw a global audience, both in-person and 
watching broadcasts of the event around the world. The event is 
expected to attract over 170,000 visitors who will occupy over 400,000 
room nights. Globally, the average audience per Grand Prix is 87 
million; In 2020 the largest TV audience for a race was 103.7 million. 
Within the 5 days of the announcement, the news generated an 
unprecedented amount of media coverage and social buzz, showcasing the 
global interest and momentum for a global audience.
    Marque and high-profile events not only drive incremental 
visitation, they also bring a very affluent traveler to market. These 
events often drive an increased demand of private aircraft to the 
airport on already peak travel periods.
                               in summary
    Tourism is a major economic driver for southern Nevada. Las Vegas 
is poised to continue to grow coming out of this pandemic. With 
domestic visitation to Las Vegas well on its way to pre-COVID volumes, 
international visitors should be our focus to assure Las Vegas' success 
and ultimate recovery.
    This is a team effort. The job of the LVCVA continues to be to 
drive demand to this incredible destination, and I am thankful that our 
partners in Congress, including Congresswoman Titus, are actively 
engaging to provide resources, staffing and the innovative practices 
needed to allow our Federal partners to keep up with this growing 
demand.
    The LVCVA works in close partnership with Harry Reid International 
Airport, and Director Rosemary Vassiliadis. We are grateful for our 
partnership and our common goals including the recovery and growth of 
international visitation.
    I know that as a united team, all of us can build the Las Vegas 
economy back even better--supporting more visitors, more jobs, and more 
indirect economic impact.
    Thank you.

    Chairman Thompson. Thank you very much.
    I now ask Ms. Vassiliadis to summarize her statement for 5 
minutes.

  STATEMENT OF ROSEMARY A. VASSILIADIS, DIRECTOR OF AVIATION, 
              CLARK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION

    Ms. Vassiliadis. Thank you very much, Chairman Thompson, 
Representative Titus, and Members of the committee. Thank you 
for this opportunity to share my views on how to improve the 
flow of passengers at U.S. airports.
    Given my role as director of aviation at Harry Reid 
International Airport, or LAS, I will emphasize my experience 
with travel in Las Vegas. However, my points will generally 
apply to the needs and challenges at airports across the 
country.
    I also appreciate your willingness to hear testimonies from 
my colleagues representing U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 
the Transportation Security Administration, and the Las Vegas 
Convention and Visitors Authority. Our partnership here in this 
town is unprecedented and our continued cooperation is critical 
to the success of the travel industry and the millions of 
valued customers we each serve.
    This is a great time for air travel. A particularly 
exciting time for those of us in Las Vegas as so many big 
attractions return, as you just heard, or join our communities' 
always busy events calendar. Before the pandemic nonstop 
international air service was a great success story. To 
reiterate the Chairman's opening remarks, passengers flying to 
Las Vegas from outside the country increased every year from 
2011 through 2019, peaking at nearly 3.8 million flyers, both 
in 2018 and 2019. These are remarkable numbers for a point-to-
point destination that differs greatly from traditional U.S. 
gateway airports, such as those in Atlanta, Chicago, LA, or New 
York.
    In 2019 LAS had nonstop service to and from 12 different 
countries spread across 4 continents. Then came COVID-19 and 
all of that disappeared almost overnight. Thankfully, our 
traffic is in recovery. As you heard, we now enjoy non-stops 
from Canada, Mexico, Panama, the Netherlands, Great Britain, 
Germany, and Switzerland. We will also welcome back South 
Korean flights in a few weeks and hope to add more markets 
later this year. Last month our final numbers of international 
passengers at LAS totaled more than 200,000, a huge jump from 
the 31,000 we reported in April 2021.
    We do have high hopes for this summer's travel season, but 
our success will require active leadership from the Department 
of Homeland Security to ensure our guests do not experience 
delays caused by staffing shortages. Despite significant 
increases to the cost of airfare, traffic at LAS is finally 
nearing pre-pandemic levels. We need a full complement of CBP 
and TSA staffing for Las Vegas to both recover and further grow 
its core economic base.
    So to this end I will propose a few specific suggestions.
    First, provide funding to increase CBPs staffing levels at 
U.S. airports in order to meet current and future needs. I urge 
the Congress to pay for new CBP officers to handle expected 
growth. Research from the airport's trade association shows 
CBP's work load staffing model already reveals a shortage of 
nearly 1,000 officers across the system and we anticipate those 
staffing shortages can soon worsen.
    Separately, LAS is not a 24-hour port. We need CBP to help 
us ensure new international service can be accommodated. We 
have recently experienced carriers asking to schedule arrivals 
outside of CBP's operating hours in order to maximize their 
connecting opportunities and fill more seats on U.S.-bound 
flights. As LAS looks at new markets in Asia and the South 
Pacific, flight patterns into the Western airports suggest we 
will receive even more requests to arrive outside current port 
hours. As we recover CBP needs more flexibility to accommodate 
such requests.
    Last, the airports applaud Congressman Titus and the 
members of Nevada's delegation for their recent bipartisan 
letter to the President, asking him to fully exempt vaccinated 
air travelers from pre-flight testing requirements. As already 
discussed, we know that once the United States eliminates this 
testing, international traffic will jump instantly. This again 
begs for CBP officers at U.S. airports and for keeping CBP 
airport staff at airports and not the Southern Border.
    We also need Congress to provide sufficient funding to 
expand biometric exit solution at airports. Pilot programs are 
in place at select U.S. airports, as a few of you saw. I am so 
proud to report LAS is leading the way in this area. But 
airport facilities were not designed for the needs of a fully 
biometric exit program, nor does CBP staffing model account for 
officers to implement 100 percent biometric exit programs.
    Also, I ask Congress to provide dedicated funding for CBP 
to expand and promote Global Entry and NEXUS and related tried 
and true technologies to improve passenger facilitation and 
security. Also provide funding for the number of transportation 
security officers, or TSOs, and the technologies needed to 
screen passengers and baggage effectively and efficiently. 
TSA's resource allocation plan demonstrates thousands of 
additional TSOs are needed to provide adequate staffing at both 
these critical operational areas.
    Also, stop diverting TSA user fees to utilize other Federal 
programs is called for in the administration's budget request. 
Nine-eleven passenger security fees now go to the Treasury for 
other uses. This is money TSA could otherwise use to hire 
additional TSOs.
    Also ensure TSA has the funding to upgrade or replace 
explosive detection systems, or EDSs. Many airport systems are 
outdated and must be replaced. Thankfully LAS has already 
received Federal money to begin these replacements, for which I 
am grateful. Still, I recommend a prohibition to prevent TSA 
from redirecting any unused EDS funds toward other programs 
until all eligible airports receive full reimbursement.
    Believe it or not, finally, ensure TSA continues to staff 
airport exit lanes and meet the obligations to that law 
enforcement officer, or LEO, reimbursement program, rejecting 
the administration's attempt to eliminate these programs and 
shift the full burden to airports. We appreciate Congress' 
continued effort to ensure TSA abides by the provisions in the 
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which specifically directs the 
agency to monitor exit lanes. Likewise, as security threats in 
public areas continue to evolve and TSA imposes additional 
requirements on airport law enforcement officers, we need 
Congress to fully support and fund LEO reimbursement programs.
    So these are just a few suggestions and I appreciate your 
willingness to travel to Las Vegas to hold this hearing at 
Harry Reid International. This airport provides a $35 billion 
annual economic benefit to the community and supports, directly 
and indirectly, nearly 25 percent of all jobs in southern 
Nevada.
    My peers and I will continue to work together to provide 
travelers with the world-class experience each time they fly, 
but I truly believe my proposals will allow us to continue our 
recent success.
    I thank the committee again for this opportunity to 
testify.
    [The prepared statement of Ms. Vassiliadis follows:]
             Prepared Statement of Rosemary A. Vassiliadis
                              May 24, 2022
    Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Katko, Rep. Titus, and Members of 
the committee, thank you for this opportunity to share my views 
regarding ways to improve passenger processing at U.S. airports. 
Whether it involves domestic service or international flights, 
restoring air travel to pre-pandemic levels and beyond is essential to 
the growth and well-being of America's economy.
    Given my role as director of aviation at Harry Reid International 
Airport (LAS), my remarks will emphasize my experiences and familiarity 
with the travel industry here in Las Vegas. However, please know the 
points I share today generally apply to the needs and challenges at 
airports both large and small, spread all across the country.
    I sincerely appreciate your willingness to hear my thoughts, as 
well as today's previous testimoneys of my colleagues representing U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection; the Transportation Security 
Administration; and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. 
Our continued cooperation and partnership are critical to the success 
of the U.S. air travel industry and the millions of valued customers 
our organizations respectively serve.
    Prior to the pandemic, nonstop international air service was a 
wonderful success story for Las Vegas. The number of passengers who 
came to Las Vegas via foreign-flag air carriers increased each year 
from 2011 through 2019, topping out at nearly 3.8 million annual 
passengers in both 2018 and 2019. These were remarkable numbers for a 
point-to-point destination market such as Las Vegas, which differs 
greatly from traditional U.S. gateway hub airports such as those in 
Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles or New York.
    Over the course of 2019, LAS enjoyed nonstop service to and from 12 
different countries spread over 4 continents. Then came COVID-19, and 
all of that disappeared almost overnight.
    Thankfully, our international traffic has begun its recovery. Today 
at LAS, we enjoy direct non-stop service from Canada, Mexico, Panama, 
the Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany, and Switzerland. We'll welcome 
back South Korean service in a few weeks, and hope to add more 
international markets later this year.
    This April, international air passengers at LAS totaled nearly 
191,000--a significant jump from the 31,000 air passengers reported in 
the same month a year ago. With most of our pre-pandemic markets back 
on-line, we have high hopes for the coming summer travel season, and 
our success will require active leadership from the Department of 
Homeland Security--especially U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP)--to ensure our international guests do not experience significant 
delays due to staffing shortages.
    First, I want to congratulate the administration for adopting 
COVID-19 health and safety protocols that enabled the wide return of 
international passengers beginning last fall. These current targeted, 
risk-based approaches are a much more effective strategy than the one-
size-fits-all tactics under the prior Presidential Proclamation banning 
nearly all non-essential travel between the United States and specific 
countries. The need to be vigilant remains; we cannot permit a 
reemergence of the virus to again decimate travel to Nevada, nor any 
other States. LAS has invested millions in improvements to the airport 
to prepare for the safe return of travelers. Notwithstanding the 
significant increase in the costs for airfare, passenger levels at LAS 
are finally recovering to their pre-pandemic levels. We need a full 
complement of CBP and TSA staffing on-site at LAS for Las Vegas to both 
recover and further grow its core economic base.
    To this end, I would like to propose a few specific suggestions to 
boost the industry.
   support customs and border protection (cbp) staffing, technology 
deployment, and trusted traveler programs as passenger traffic returns 
                       to international airports
   Provide funding to increase CBP staffing levels at U.S. 
        airports to meet current and future needs.--We urge the 
        Congress to provide funding for new CBP officers so the agency 
        is prepared to handle an influx of new international 
        passengers, and support those air service opportunities finally 
        returning our airports. CBP's latest workload staffing model, 
        which used data from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 
        2020, still reveals a shortage of nearly 1,000 officers across 
        the system. Since the model was most recently run, the pandemic 
        has subsided and international trade and travel volumes are 
        expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels in many locations. 
        Current staffing levels already fail to address the growing 
        demand of travel and trade at our airports-of-entry, and we 
        anticipate the workload staffing model will indicate 
        drastically higher CBP staffing shortages in subsequent runs.
    Providing additional CBP officers during this time of growth among 
        international passengers and cargo will reduce lengthy wait 
        times, and facilitate new economic opportunities in communities 
        throughout the United States. On top of that, CBP is preparing 
        a large redeployment of officers from air and sea ports to the 
        Southern Border, which will further exacerbate staffing and 
        workload shortfalls at airports. Increasing the overall number 
        of CBP officers will allow the agency greater flexibility to 
        maintain its operational capacity at all ports-of-entry.
    LAS is not a 24-hour port. We therefore need CBP to work with us as 
        we seek schedules for returning and new service that fit into 
        our port's available hours. We have already experienced 
        international carriers which sought to schedule select LAS 
        arrivals outside of our port's current operating hours, all in 
        order to maximize connecting opportunities to fill more seats 
        on U.S.-bound flights. As LAS looks to new potential markets in 
        Asia and the South Pacific, existing flight patterns into other 
        western U.S. destinations likewise suggest we'll receive more 
        requests for flights to arrive outside of today's port hours.
    During a recovery period in which we cannot afford to turn away 
        visitors, flexibility in staffing availability within the ports 
        is critical to both our near-term growth, and future expansions 
        of air service into LAS.
    Last, we anticipate when the United States eliminates pre-departure 
        COVID-19 testing requirement for arriving foreign travelers, 
        international traffic will jump instantly. Airlines for America 
        this month shared a survey of its carriers that estimated 
        dropping existing testing rules would bring in an additional 
        4.3 million international passengers and $1.7 billion in 
        incremental revenue--and could result in an incremental 1.075 
        million foreign visitors and $2.1 billion in visitor spending.
    In addition, with the agency's precipitous drop in collected user 
        fees during the COVID-19 pandemic, airports greatly appreciate 
        Congress providing supplemental resources to help CBP maintain 
        its staffing levels and also continue to on-board new officers 
        during this difficult period.
   Provide sufficient funding to advance biometric-exit 
        solutions at airports.--CBP has begun biometric-exit pilots at 
        select U.S. airports, and I am proud to report LAS is leading 
        the way. But numerous infrastructure, process, staffing, and 
        funding challenges must still be overcome before a full-scale 
        biometric exit program can be implemented Nation-wide.
    Today's airports simply were not designed to accommodate the space, 
        technology, and connectivity needs of a fully biometric exit 
        program, and CBP's workforce staffing model does not account 
        for the number of officers needed to implement fully biometric 
        exit program at airports. Airports support dedicated CBP 
        funding for biometric implementation that accounts for the 
        actual, upfront infrastructure and staffing investments, as 
        well as for the on-going maintenance and staffing support CBP 
        needs to administer these programs with minimal disruptions to 
        the traveling public.
   Provide dedicated funding for CBP to expand and promote 
        Global Entry and NEXUS and related technology to improve 
        passenger facilitation and security.--Airports support the 
        Global Entry and NEXUS international trusted traveler programs 
        to expedite the processing of passengers departing from 
        Canadian preclearance airports or arriving at airports in the 
        United States.
    These programs are crucial for speeding facilitation, enhancing 
        security, and helping to mitigate the shortage of CBP officers. 
        Expanding the availability of trusted traveler programs to 
        capture more travelers would allow CBP to focus more on 
        passengers who have not been previously vetted, thus enhancing 
        security and processing efficiency. Airports will continue to 
        work with CBP to identify passenger processing technology 
        efficiencies, and to promote the expansion of its international 
        trusted traveler programs.
      support the transportation security administration's (tsa) 
    responsibility to provide security screening, assist local law 
                 enforcement, and deploy new technology
   Provide funding for the number of Transportation Security 
        Officers (TSOs) and screening technology necessary to screen 
        passengers and baggage effectively and efficiently.--With 
        passenger volumes next year expected to surpass those of 2019, 
        TSA needs adequate resources to ensure screening checkpoint and 
        baggage operations keep pace with growing passenger volumes and 
        security demands. TSA's resource allocation plan demonstrates 
        that thousands of additional TSOs are necessary to provide 
        adequate staffing at security checkpoints and baggage screening 
        locations. These officers would help mitigate vulnerabilities 
        associated with large groups of passengers waiting in lengthy 
        queues at TSA passenger screening checkpoints, as well as the 
        potential for misconnecting checked baggage and passengers to 
        miss their intended flights.
    Additionally, deploying adequate technology to screening 
        checkpoints would help TSA increase security efficiency and 
        effectiveness. TSA also should accelerate the on-going testing, 
        enhancement, and procurement of new technology that will 
        increase security, produce significant budget savings, and 
        enhance traveler convenience. Congress could accelerate the 
        testing and deployment of new technology at security 
        checkpoints such as:
     Enhanced Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT)
     Credential Authentication Technology with a camera (CAT-2)
     Computed Tomography (CT) integrated with Automated 
            Screening Lanes (ASLs)
     Explosive Detection Systems (EDS).
    In accordance with an Aviation Security Advisory Committee 
        recommendation, establish an airport security-focused grant 
        program at TSA to support the deployment of perimeter control, 
        access control, checkpoint screening systems, automated 
        screening lanes, and other security technology at airports.
   End the diversion of TSA user fees to subsidize other 
        Federal programs, as called for in the administration's budget 
        request.--Congress established the 
        9/11 Passenger Security Fee to fund civil aviation security 
        services, including the salary, benefits, and overtime of 
        Transportation Security Officers, as well as the acquisition, 
        operation, and maintenance of screening equipment. However, 
        over a 14-year period ending in 2027, a total of more than 
        $18.1 billion in collected TSA user fees will be siphoned off 
        to offset the National debt. In the near term, this diversion 
        will cost the TSA $1.5 billion in foregone revenue in each of 
        fiscal years 2022 and 2023 alone--funds that TSA could 
        otherwise be using to hire more Transportation Security 
        Officers, invest in emerging checkpoint screening systems that 
        detect more complex threat items while increasing efficiency, 
        upgrade current systems more quickly as new capabilities arise, 
        and replace outdated baggage screening systems.
    With wait times increasing at TSA security checkpoints, the entire 
        9/11 Passenger Security Fee should be used to adequately fund 
        TSA technology procurement and for the TSO staffing levels 
        necessary to screen passengers and their baggage effectively 
        and efficiently.
   Ensure TSA has the funding necessary to purchase new 
        explosive detection systems (EDS) to replace outdated systems, 
        and to continue to fulfill its obligation to reimburse eligible 
        airports for having installed EDS.--As many EDS have or are 
        rapidly reaching the end of their useful lives, TSA needs 
        funding to purchase replacement systems. Thankfully, LAS has 
        already received Federal money to begin these replacements, for 
        which I am grateful.
    Absent necessary funding to widen this effort, TSA will incur 
        increasing costs to operate and maintain old systems that 
        routinely break and adversely impact security and airport 
        operations. We appreciate the Congress providing funding in the 
        past 3 fiscal years for TSA to reimburse airports for 
        previously-incurred costs associated with the construction and 
        deployment of in-line checked baggage screening systems. Since 
        these airports diverted significant amounts of money from other 
        important aviation security projects in order to purchase and 
        install EDS, we encourage Congress to continue to provide 
        additional funding so TSA can follow through on its commitment 
        to reimburse airports.
    We recommend including a prohibition that prevents TSA from 
        redirecting any unused EDS funds to other TSA programs until 
        all eligible airports receive full reimbursement.
   Ensure TSA continues to staff airport exit lanes, rejecting 
        the administration's attempts to eliminate the program and 
        shift the full burden to airports.--We appreciate Congress's 
        continued effort to ensure that TSA abides by the provision in 
        the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which specifically directs 
        the agency to monitor those exit lanes where it performed the 
        function on December 1, 2013. Airports remain concerned about 
        potential security issues and the significant costs associated 
        with TSA instituting an unfunded mandate for airport operators 
        to provide staff to monitor these exit lanes.
    In addition, we support TSA installing appropriate exit-lane 
        monitoring technology where feasible and appropriate.
   Ensure TSA has the funds necessary to fulfill its obligation 
        to reimburse airports under the Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) 
        Reimbursement Program instead of shifting the full burden to 
        airports.--We appreciate Congress's continued effort to 
        preserve the LEO Reimbursement Program. TSA created this 
        program to partially reimburse airports for providing law 
        enforcement officer staffing at screening checkpoints because 
        the agency did not have the funding to do so, as required in 
        Federal law. Over time, many airports have entered into 
        reimbursable agreements with TSA to provide law enforcement 
        officers to support TSA screening operations. As security 
        threats in the public areas of airports continue to evolve--and 
        TSA imposes additional requirements on airport law enforcement 
        officers--it is essential for Congress to provide TSA adequate 
        funding to fully support the LEO Reimbursement Program.
    Thank you.

    Chairman Thompson. I thank the witnesses for their 
testimony.
    I will remind each Member that he or she will have 5 
minutes to question the witnesses.
    I will now recognize myself for questions.
    Let me thank both of you ladies for your excitement about 
the job you do and the fact that you have pretty much said in 
spite of 2\1/2\ years of something, the numbers appear to be 
going in the right direction and with a little help from 
Congress we can do even more.
    So, Ms. Wik, can you explain to the committee and to the 
public at large who are viewing this why a good experience at 
an airport is important to tourism like a city like Las Vegas?
    Ms. Wik. Absolutely. Thank you for your question, Chairman.
    A trip begins with the moment that you book the trip. It is 
the excitement that builds inside you, that eager, the looking 
forward to what is going to happen. It happens the moment you 
leave your door and you arrive at the airport to come to Las 
Vegas. Making sure that the process is seamless and 
frictionless for travel is incredibly important because we want 
these visitors to return. We want them to have a great 
experience from the moment they leave their house to the moment 
they leave their destination. We don't want an amazing trip to 
be ruined by a bad experience on their way out of the market. 
We want to make sure that it is, again, seamless and 
frictionless for every traveler.
    Chairman Thompson. Well, so we are at the airport. So, Ms. 
Vassiliadis, can you explain how you work here at the airport 
to make sure that that is exactly what happens when people come 
to this airport?
    Ms. Vassiliadis. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the 
question.
    Our motto here at the airport is we are the first and last 
look of Las Vegas. We are part of that experience that Kate 
just mentioned. From the time that door opens from the jet 
bridge to the time it closes back, people are choosing to come 
to Las Vegas. What we do is we host a discretionary type of 
customer. We are not a transfer airport, we are not a big hub 
for the large carriers, we are an origin and destination. They 
come to Las Vegas, they leave Las Vegas. Most of our visitors 
are on the leisure side of the categories. So, again, they 
choose to come here. We want that experience from the very get-
go to be the one that they have chosen and strive for, and then 
they come back. So we want it smooth, we want it seamless, but 
we want it to be part of Vegas.
    Chairman Thompson. Well, thank you much.
    One of the things we try to do in Congress was to address 
the pandemic in a responsible manner to work with State and 
locals so that those who did travel would be protected and 
those who worked in travel and the entertainment industry, or 
just in general, they would be protected also.
    So do you think the COVID-19 protocols for Las Vegas proper 
worked? Is there anything else that you see that we might 
should have done or could do going forward?
    Ms. Wik. Thank you for that, Chairman.
    Las Vegas worked closely with local and State government to 
make sure that we were creating a safe environment to welcome 
visitors. Everybody had a different level of comfort traveling 
during the pandemic and we wanted to make sure that we were 
following CDC guidelines, all scientific recommendations how to 
provide that safe experience. We did that. We actively 
communicated that. We came out of the pandemic with a stellar 
brand reputation of making sure that we were taking all of the 
facts into consideration and creating experiences that we knew 
our visitors wanted, but wanted to feel safe about having 
during this time frame. So it was a challenging 2 years, but we 
leaned into it. Through partnership we made sure that we are 
actively developing these guidelines and communicating with 
them to ensure that our customers knew what to expect when they 
arrived.
    Chairman Thompson. Thank you.
    Ms. Vassiliadis.
    Ms. Vassiliadis. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
    We also looked at it as--again, it started here and what we 
started with, being that our town was closed for a period of 
time, although airports were still open, we still had airline 
crews go through, we certainly had medical staff being 
transferred around the country, we had PPE coming through our 
airport and to our city. We knew we needed to start with our 
employees. We thought if our employees feel safe, then when we 
open back up and our visitors come back, they are going to--the 
visitor is going to feel that. So we had a very, very 
comprehensive, very visible visual invisible program of 
cleaning and disinfecting. We actually had our own LAS roadway 
to recovery and we had it in the different phases of what we 
needed to do from messaging--and you probably still see some 
stickers on the floor and throughout the terminal. We did it 
Vegas style because we knew when people came back they are 
choosing to come back to Las Vegas and they want Vegas. So we 
did it with a little bit of flair, poker chips, you know, all 
the usual identifiable type of things.
    But we were ready and I do think that our numbers show that 
it worked, because our leisure traveler--for us here at the 
airport our leisure traveler has surpassed 2019 leisure 
category.
    Chairman Thompson. Thank you very much.
    The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California, Mr. 
Correa, for 5 minutes.
    Mr. Correa. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, Ms. Titus, 
thank you for the important hearing. This information applies 
really well to my district. So, again, thank you very much.
    Ms. Wik, in your testimony you mentioned that international 
travel has lagged behind domestic travel in terms of recovery. 
Can you tell me any specific reason?
    Ms. Wik. International travel has lagged for multiple 
reasons. No. 1, just different states of COVID outbreaks 
globally and the roller coaster of the pandemic and where it 
has hit at different times.
    No. 2, the lack of confidence on getting to a destination, 
being stuck in a destination. Just the pandemic created a lot 
of unknowns. I think travelers decided to just wait and see and 
see what was going to happen.
    Mr. Correa. Let me interrupt you.
    Ms. Wik. Sure.
    Mr. Correa. That lack of confidence, I have seen that at 
airports where families are there. For some reason they are 
stuck because of the test. The test is too late. You know, it 
is 48 hours, they got in 30 hours and they are stuck. It is a 
horrible nightmare.
    So I am trying to figure out--the prior panel spoke to the 
fact that we are moving from a test to a vaccination scenario 
where if you are fully vaccinated it is a different situation 
altogether. This should help, don't you think?
    Ms. Wik. I personally agree with that. I have seen some of 
our trade shows adopt that as well where you can show--you can 
pre-register for a trade show, initiate that you have your full 
vaccination status, and then it is easy for you to come and go 
within the trade show.
    Mr. Correa. I was here for the Electronics Association a 
while ago and I thought that was good. It was just sad that the 
turnout was not what it has been in the past. More important, 
primarily because of the international participation. But if 
that is a fact, if we can make a difference there--again, I am 
going to come back to the same question I asked the prior 
panel, which is what can we do to get the message out that if 
you are fully vaccinated then you shouldn't have issues coming 
or leave.
    Ms. Wik. Mm-hmm. Partnering with U.S. Travel Association, 
partnering with Brand USA, we have international offices that 
we are reinstating across the globe to help us actively market 
Las Vegas. It comes down to what many of my colleagues here 
today have talked about, a messaging campaign. Making sure that 
international travelers know we are open, we are open for 
business, we are open safely, and they can access us safely. 
That is absolutely the message to get across that we are 
working on.
    Mr. Correa. What are the factors you were gong to elaborate 
on before I interrupted you?
    Ms. Wik. I don't remember. Sorry.
    Mr. Correa. Ms. Vassiliadis, the same question. Glad that 
never happens to me.
    Ms. Vassiliadis. [Audio malfunction] of fully vaccinated--
thank you--being the overriding requirement I think will help 
tremendously. It will be consistent with many other countries 
that, you know, that we could go to. That will I think also 
give a veil of ease, like we have seen at conventions when 
vaccinations are required.
    Mr. Correa. Thank you very much.
    Ms. Wik, did you recollect any of those factors yet?
    Ms. Wik. I support what my colleague spoke about. I think 
it is really about identifying what the barriers are for 
travel----
    Mr. Correa. Consistency.
    Ms. Wik [continuing]. And eliminating them.
    Mr. Correa. What rules, so to speak.
    Ms. Wik. Correct. Consistently and eliminating barriers and 
friction. Let us try to make it as seamless as possible for 
visitors to get here.
    Mr. Correa. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    I yield.
    Chairman Thompson. Thank you.
    One of the other things is repeat business, as you look at 
this too. My experiences have been when I run into 
international visitors, you know, a certain percentage of them 
have been here before and they enjoyed the experience and they 
came back. I mean so I think that is part of making the 
experience positive. We obviously want to make sure that our 
Government doesn't participate in not making it a positive 
experience. That is why when they get here, you know, go 
through, make sure all the protocols for security and other 
things are met. But it doesn't--it shouldn't take 2-3 hours for 
me to prove who I am and that I have been vaccinated. So I 
think that is where technology helps that process so much. So 
that, you know, you can get through in a matter of minutes. You 
say, woo, I like this. I think that is the wow factor you want 
from a visitor.
    The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri, Mr. 
Cleaver, for 5 minutes.
    Mr. Cleaver. Thank you again, Mr. Chair.
    I was stunned by your numbers of the world's largest 20 
hotels, half of them are in Las Vegas. That is absolutely 
amazing. I understand it. But do the hotels, realizing that 
their business begins to take root when people land here at 
Harry Reid, do they participate in any kind of organization 
with the airport--or that is probably not the right word--but 
is there an on-going discussion with or request from the hotel 
industry and the airport?
    Ms. Vassiliadis. Thank you, Congressman.
    You know, the last 2\1/2\ years have been very unusual and 
unique. What we have normally done unfortunately was paused, 
but it is something that is back on our docket to do, which is 
we go out and we meet together partnered with the Las Vegas 
Convention and Visitors Authority. The airport meets with the 
major resort people and give them an update. We did a little 
bit of it, you know, virtually. It was really hard though these 
past couple of years, but it is something that we are resuming 
later on this calendar year.
    Mr. Cleaver. This question is probably--the interest 
probably almost exclusively in Washington, but, you know, we 
survived, albeit with a lot of bad memories and pain and 
heartache, but we--I think we are on the other side, although 
there is reason to be concerned about this new explosion of new 
cases. But this is more of--some of the information from my 
colleagues and me, not just this committee, but all over 
Congress and that do you believe that the people, the business 
leaders in Las Vegas understand where the Payroll Protection 
Plan was originated or was it just some--you know, we got some 
money from the Government or somewhere to--you know, to do 
something? I mean people--the industry was able to continue 
even if--even at a lower level because of the PPP program. Do 
you think people have any understanding of how that came about 
or where the interest in doing something originated?
    Ms. Wik. I think they do. Knowing the dependency of tourism 
on Las Vegas, all of our resort stakeholders worked very 
closely with State government on understanding what resources 
were available, how to weather this storm. We are actually 
funded--the LVCVA is funded partially by a room tax. So we work 
closely with our resort partners to understand what are those 
barriers, how do we work together, how do we bring this 
pipeline of tourism back.
    So I know there was a lot of dialog between State and local 
government, along with the resort corridor on how to maximize 
all the resources that you guys were fighting for them.
    Mr. Cleaver. Mm-hmm. You asked the question, they have a 
lot of contact with the State government and probably don't 
understand that all the money that went into the State 
government was voted on by the people sitting at this table.
    Ms. Wik. Mm-hmm.
    Mr. Cleaver. We find that that is a problem. I chair the 
housing subcommittee and we send money into the State and then 
into cities. As a former mayor--I was mayor of Kansas City--
millions and millions and millions of dollars were spent every 
year by cities, including Las Vegas, where they received money 
as an entitlement city that came through the Federal budget. 
People have--all the people who benefit, probably less than 1 
percent have any idea where the money originated. I mean many 
of them may--well, the State gave it to us or somebody out 
there gave it. Then as a mayor I can tell you, mayors call 
press conferences and announce big projects and get praise for 
something that they had nothing to do with.
    OK. I am not upset. But I am just telling you that--you 
know, I think the people here saved this country and probably 
99 percent of the country has absolutely no idea. So they can 
feel comfortable in hating the Federal Government.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    Chairman Thompson. Yes. But it was the right thing to do, 
Mr. Cleaver.
    Mr. Cleaver. Yes, it was.
    Chairman Thompson. So all of us are Americans and clearly 
our Government has a responsibility, especially in times like 
the pandemic, to step up and do the right thing. So my 
conscience is clear that that investment through the PPP 
program and others was absolutely necessary. The support we 
gave to the travel industry, especially airlines, I mean, you 
know, it was--well, it helps them survive. I mean it was tough, 
so.
    The Chair recognizes the gentlelady from Las Vegas for 5 
minutes.
    Ms. Titus. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    I agree. It was not just the airlines, it was the 
restaurants, all the ancillary businesses that we saved. The 
restaurants we saved, the shuttered venues. We sent all that 
money. Nevada got an awful lot of money, $1 billion more than 
we would have because we included unemployment in the formula, 
not just population. But I can tell you, there are a lot people 
out there cutting ribbons and holding up big checks that they 
got from us and they forget to invite us to the party.
    But I am kind-of inclined to agree with the preacher.
    But back to my questions.
    I am really glad, Ms. Vassiliadis, you mentioned about 
Global Entry and about the need for more flexibility to get 
people there and on off-hours because I thought the answer to 
my question was a little optimistic or a little rosier than the 
actual situation is. I think we do need to work on that.
    Talking about foreign travelers, not just for business, but 
we have found here in the west when they stay longer they kind-
of do a loop. They come to Las Vegas, they go to the Grand 
Canyon, they go to San Francisco, and then they go visit Mr. 
Correa down at Disneyworld. We market----
    Mr. Correa. Disneyland, Disneyland.
    Ms. Titus. We market ourselves as part of that loop. I 
think that is a way to appeal to foreign travelers. I hope that 
we are doing some of that.
    I want to go to the smaller airports though. Any time there 
is a big fight or now a big ball game or a big concert, a lot 
of people fly in here on their private jets. Now you oversee 
the smaller general aviation airports in addition to Harry 
Reid. Can you talk to us about the security there? I know that 
they put out some kind of guidelines several years ago. How 
does that work? Is it effective? Do we need to take a look at 
that?
    Ms. Vassiliadis. Thank you, Congresswoman. I appreciate the 
question.
    The general aviation airports do operate under different 
security rules. So being that they are not commercial airports, 
it does not have TSA located there. It is a private business 
type of operation where you can hire a porter share, people 
have their own planes, you can fly on somebody else's, you 
know, smaller type of aircraft that is not on a scheduled 
bases. So there is security in the system overall per se, but 
it is not the same type of check-in, going through a checkpoint 
that you see at commercial airports. So the operation is a 
little bit different.
    But, as you mentioned, with special events it is a whole 
new world for us of what type of activity that we are getting 
due to special events. So for the Raider games--and really any 
professional sports--there are a separate type of security 
rules for a team to, you know, come in as they do. Their 
aircraft is usually rather large, so they do operate here at 
LAS.
    Ms. Titus. Those Raiders fans aren't really like your 
ballet crowd, are they?
    Ms. Vassiliadis. They are very passionate about their team.
    Ms. Titus. So are the guidelines that were put out by TSA 
several years ago for these smaller airports, are they 
adequate? Or with the new scene do we need to look at upgrading 
those or?
    Ms. Vassiliadis. Thus far they seem to be working. I don't 
have any examples of something that got us into a situation. 
You know, security is layers. There are all different layers 
from a time a person, you know, makes a reservation, you know, 
for commercial versus making a reservation for private. There 
are measures that are taken and I am happy to report that we 
have not had any incidents due to lack of any of those layers.
    Ms. Titus. That is good to hear.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    Chairman Thompson. The gentlelady yields back.
    The Chair recognizes the gentlelady from Florida, Mrs. 
Demings, for 5 minutes.
    Mrs. Demings. Well, thank you so much, Mr. Chairman, and 
thank you to both of our witnesses for being with us today.
    Ms. Wik, I heard you say loud and clear that you have about 
20,000 more hotel rooms than Orlando. I represent Orlando and 
represent the Orlando International Airport. So what I heard is 
we have some work to do in Orlando and we are going to be busy 
doing that work.
    I just want to talk about, as we talk about trying to get 
back to where we once were, and as I heard both of you talk 
about the experience and how important it is, of course we say 
that the experience begins, as you indicated, Ms. Wik, once you 
book your flight. Certainly once you arrive to the Orlando 
International Airport, the experience begins there. We have 
certainly done a tremendous amount of work to make that happen.
    We are currently about 95 percent of our 2019 passenger 
volume. So we still have some work to do. I know that, you 
know, this is occurring all over the Nation, but you mentioned 
there are different states of COVID outbreaks and people find 
themselves stuck in particular places. Have you seen, Ms. Wik, 
any best practices at various localities or airports that could 
be implemented throughout the Nation? Or anything that you have 
seen post-COVID.
    Ms. Wik. I think the--thank you for that question.
    The No. 1 best practice is just communicating up-front, 
setting out expectations of what is required from the traveler 
and where and how to meet those requirements. That 
communication can come directly from air carriers, it can come 
from the hotels themselves, and it can come from the 
destination. But it is important to make sure that expectations 
are clearly communicated in terms of what is required from 
travelers.
    Mrs. Demings. Thank you so much for that.
    Ms. Vassiliadis--I hope I didn't mess your name up too 
badly--but thank you so much for talking about the importance 
of the law enforcement reimbursement program and how important 
it is to have sworn law enforcement officers at the 
checkpoints. I was assigned to Orlando International Airport as 
a police captain for a number of years and that particular 
position pre-9/11 and certainly post-9/11 is so very critical. 
So thank you for that.
    But you also talked about the importance of overall 
staffing with TSA and CBP and trying to get back again to that 
normal place. Have you also seen any particular issues post-
COVID as it pertains to airline staff or airport staff in terms 
of helping us move back to, or even exceeding our passenger 
loads and creating that experience kind-of environment that we 
all need? Any challenges there as well?
    Ms. Vassiliadis. Thank you, Congresswoman.
    Well, I guess that is my button.
    Mrs. Demings. That is your button, yes, ma'am. Designed 
just for you.
    Ms. Vassiliadis. Tremendous issues. Starting with the 
airlines, we read about that every--twice, three times a week 
from their pilots and crews, now it has gone down to the people 
who--the trainers for pilots and crew members, to all the 
ancillary services that airlines must supply. One that comes to 
my mind here at this airport is wheelchair pushers. So there is 
an FAA mandate that airlines must provide wheelchair and 
special needs services and airlines are just not getting people 
to be able to fill those positions. It has taken a tremendous 
toll on that experience. It has been very, very hard at an 
airport--you know, airports, we are essential services, so we 
were all open. We had to come to work, still had to fulfill all 
the requirements of staying safe, social distancing, all of 
that type of thing, but we still had to have some concessions 
open, airlines had to have ticket agents, airlines had to have 
baggage handling crews, airlines had to have maintenance. All 
of that has not recovered yet. You see it with the delays. We 
saw it last month where airlines responded to the need, the 
pent-up demand, certainly, you know, to Las Vegas, and then 
they canceled. But that was a Nation-wide issue. They canceled 
these flights because they simply did not have the staffing to 
be able to accommodate all of those flights. That unfortunately 
is continuing today. Not the cancellations, they finally got 
their schedules down to a reasonable operating day, but what 
they are able to offer, the amenities that you get--and I am 
sure this esteemed committee flies a lot--you get nothing, you 
know, catering. Every part of that experience is not up to what 
it used to be. So airports, I know for us because we are part 
of the Las Vegas experience, we work with our concessionaires 
tremendously to make sure that that passenger can get a drink, 
can get something they can bring on the plane. But it is not 
easy. Our concessionaires are not being able to hire at the 
same pace.
    It is very, very hard with the mentality of telecommuting. 
You can't telecommute at an airport, you have to have front-
line people. You have to have real people at an airport to 
service that traveler.
    Mrs. Demings. OK. Mr. Chairman, I----
    Chairman Thompson. The gentlelady's----
    Mrs. Demings. I think I am out of time. Thank you so much.
    Chairman Thompson. Thank you. The gentlelady's time has 
expired.
    The Chair recognizes the gentlelady from Texas, Ms. Jackson 
Lee, for 5 minutes.
    Ms. Jackson Lee. Chairman----
    Chairman Thompson. Ms. Jackson Lee, you are recognized.
    Ms. Jackson Lee. Thank you. I am trying to unmute, Mr. 
Chairman. Thank you so very much.
    Let me thank you for this important hearing. I don't 
think----
    Chairman Thompson. We are having some----
    Ms. Jackson Lee. Can you hear me? Can you hear me, Mr. 
Chairman? Hello?
    Chairman Thompson. Well, not well. Try it again.
    Ms. Jackson Lee. I will.
    Let me start by thanking the Chairman for this hearing and 
also Congresswoman Titus for bringing us to this important 
issue, and the witnesses that have already spoken, including 
our witnesses dealing with DHS and particularly in dealing with 
the procedures that will help international travelers. That is 
a key element to the economic survival of cities like Las 
Vegas. This is an important leadership role that Congresswoman 
Titus is now playing to help this city and as well to bring 
this attention of how we can address the question of the 
economic aftermath of the pandemic and how do we ensure the 
traveling public has the needed documents in a way that can be 
processed.
    So I want to raise a question to both of you. Has Las Vegas 
seen an increase in international tourism in 2022? Which we 
hear that that there is an implosion of travel, certainly 
domestically.
    First let me have you answer that question. Have you seen 
the growth and do you expect that growth to exponentially grow 
over the next couple of months?
    Ms. Wik. Thank you for your question.
    We are tracking to be recovered hopefully by end of this 
year from an international perspective. But from a Convention 
and Visitors Authority perspective, we are looking the 
international segment for growth, not just about recovery. So 
we are working closely to make sure that we are driving demand 
and that we want to ensure that we can capitalize on the demand 
and make sure that we can accommodate the demand that we are 
driving.
    Just this year we have hosted net new events to the 
destination, including NHL All-Star Game, NFL Pro Bowl, NFL 
Draft, we announced the Superbowl, I mentioned we announced F-
1. We are trying to line up our event calendar and our trade 
show calendar to make sure Las Vegas is the No. 1 destination. 
So yes, we are on track to recover, but we have our eyes on 
growth. That is what we appreciate this Congressional 
delegation has moved hurdles to enable the recovery happen thus 
far and we look forward to partnering with you to keep that 
going. We are thankful for those efforts.
    Ms. Jackson Lee. In the course of international travel, do 
you see the need for continued information about COVID rates 
and do you foresee further travel restrictions? We do know that 
there may be an uptick in the fall, and what can we do as 
Members of Congress to help that the period that may see an 
uptick, that you continue in growth and economic recovery?
    Ms. Wik. I think we have the tools in our toolkit in terms 
of we know mask-wearing works, we know vaccination works, and 
we know testing works. So working with the airport and our 
Congressional delegation on what that correct balance of 
infrastructure and guidelines are in making sure that my job is 
to communicate that out, to make sure that visitors know what 
to expect and how to have the best experience possible here. So 
it is about figuring out what is the best protocols that then 
we will communicate out.
    Ms. Jackson Lee. Well, clearly I believe that you all are 
at the forefront of travel and the increase in travel. Cities 
like Houston that are growing in that area can utilize and 
model themselves after how you addressed these questions of 
increased travel, particularly in the midst of what will seem 
to be a continuing engagement with the pandemic, and maybe even 
other infectious diseases. We will try to work in expediting 
documents, but more importantly in collaborating to ensure that 
the economic recovery continues.
    With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
    Thank you very much.
    Chairman Thompson. The gentlelady yields back.
    Let me thank our witnesses for their testimony on this 
panel. Obviously you bring us good news. Las Vegas and 
surroundings are on the way back. As Members of Congress, we 
want to be full participants in facilitating that way back. I 
want to yield time to the gentlelady from Nevada who invited us 
to come and hear the story about the challenges and how it was 
met and how we as Members of Congress can be helpful in that 
process.
    Ms. Titus. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    I know it is not an easy thing to take a Congressional 
committee on the road, but this really meant a lot for you to 
bring us here. The Members who joined us, I thank them too and 
the airport for hosting us.
    You know, I wanted you to hear Las Vegas' story because it 
is a success story. We are a very resilient community. We came 
back from the problems with the housing crisis about 10 years 
ago, now we are coming back from the COVID crisis. So our 
resilience I think can serve as an example to other communities 
that are now trying to recover, especially those in the whole 
tourism realm. We think about tourism often in a secondary way, 
but it is such an important part of our economy. Every place in 
the country has something somebody wants to see. It is a 
historic site or beautiful natural scenery or it is the world's 
largest ball of twine, like they have somewhere in the Midwest. 
So tourism really does affect every community. But when your 
economy is so based on hospitality and tourism, we are hit 
harder than other places whenever there is a dip in the 
economy. So hearing the best practices, hearing the challenges 
we still face, hearing how Government works with the private 
sector, all of those are really key factors to recovery.
    So I am so glad that you all were here to tell us that 
story and so glad that my colleagues got to hear it.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    Chairman Thompson. Well, thank you very much. Let me say 
you have been a gracious host to the committee. You can invite 
us back to Las Vegas at any time.
    Let me remind the Members of the committee that they might 
have additional questions for our witnesses and we ask that you 
respond expeditiously in writing to those questions.
    The Chair reminds Members that the committee record shall 
be kept open for 10 business days.
    Without objection, the committee stands adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 2 p.m., the committee was adjourned.]

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