[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 35 (Thursday, March 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TERRORISM PROTECTION OF MASS TRANSPORTATION AND RAILROAD CARRIERS ACT 
                                OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 2004

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, the recent horrific terrorist attacks on 
commuter trains in Madrid, Spain tragically underscored the 
vulnerability of railroad and mass transit systems to terrorist 
attacks. It is time we identify these vulnerabilities and make the 
necessary changes to improve our safety.
  Congressman Ruppersberger and I have introduced the Anti-Terrorism 
Mass Transportation and Railroad Carrier Act of 2004, which is the 
companion legislation to a bill introduced by Senator Sessions in the 
Senate. This bill takes tangible steps to protect the millions of 
Americans who use our transit systems and increase punishment if a 
terrorist is able to conduct an attack.
  Under current law, an attack on a train is treated differently than 
an attack on any other mass transit system. We believe clear federal 
jurisdiction is needed to send the message to would-be terrorists: they 
will face the full force of law. Under our bill, perpetrators would 
face up to 20 years in prison if an attack causes material damage to a 
railroad or mass transit system, and the death penalty if the attack 
results in any deaths.
  Our bill would also broaden the definition of ``domestic and 
international terrorism'' to provide law enforcement with tools to 
combat and prevent attacks on mass transportation and railroads. 
Specifically, our bill would make it easier for law enforcement 
officials to detect and disrupt terrorist plots against mass transit 
systems in the planning phases by allowing the interception of wire, 
oral, or electronic communications if sufficient evidence existed.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to deal with the terrorist threat in a forceful, 
decisive manner. While much remains to be done to improve railroad 
security in our country, this bill takes an important first step.

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