[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1462-E1463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROTECTING RAILROAD OPERATORS, TRAVELERS, EMPLOYEES, AND COMMUNITIES 
                WITH TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I, along with my colleagues Congressman 
James Oberstar, the Ranking Member of the Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee, and Congresswoman Corrine Brown, Ranking 
Democratic Member of the Railroad Subcommittee, are introducing the 
``Protecting Railroad Operators, Travelers, Employees, and Communities 
with Transportation Security Act of 2004'' (PROTECTS Act).
  Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the government has 
authorized over $12 billion on aviation security. Railroad and transit 
agencies were authorized to receive $65 million in security grants in 
2003 and $50 million in 2004. Clearly, this disparity in security 
funding is unacceptable. We cannot afford to put a price tag on safety. 
We cannot leave our railroads vulnerable to attack. Nearly five times 
as many people take trains as planes every day. Our bill authorizes 
nearly $1.3 billion to protect passenger and freight railroads and the 
communities they serve.
  I have grave concerns regarding the vulnerability of our national 
rail and transit systems. A documented one-third of all terrorist 
attacks worldwide have targeted railroads and other surface 
transportations systems. The United States rail network touches every 
major urban center and hundreds of smaller communities in between. 
Millions of tons of hazardous materials are shipped yearly across the 
United States. A large portion of these shipments is transported by 
rail, sometimes through densely populated areas, increasing the concern 
that attacks or accidents on these shipments could have severe 
consequences. Additionally, the 3,000 to 3,300 railroad shipments of 
spent nuclear fuel from 39 states that the Department of Energy plans 
to deposit in Yucca Mountain over the next 24 years, highlights the 
need for stringent rail security to guard against such incidents.
  Based on recent numerous rail attacks around the world, terrorists 
seem to have expressed a proclivity for attacking rail systems. Between 
1998 and 2003, there were 181 attacks on trains and related targets 
such as depots, ticket stations and rail bridges worldwide. Lack of 
screening and inadequate safeguards in the transportation of 
explosives, chemical, biological and radiological agents have created 
major vulnerabilities in our rail transportation system. These 
vulnerabilities are all largely un-addressed.
  The challenge of protecting our railroads is a daunting one. The 
demands on our system to deliver travelers and freight safely, quickly, 
and efficiently make our task all the more difficult. However, these 
goals are achievable. Failure on this mission is not an option.
  The PROTECTS Act authorizes over $1 billion to help secure our 
national rail system against terrorist threats. $500 million is 
authorized for grants to wholly or partially reimburse State and local 
governments, railroad carriers and rail labor for the development and 
implementation of increased security measures.
  The tragic terrorist attack on a commuter train system in Madrid 
earlier this year was a urgent reminder of our need to implement safety 
measures to secure our national rail transportation system. 
Washington's Union Station, and New York's Penn Station, both have very 
high volumes of pedestrian traffic that include a mix of Amtrak 
travelers and daily commuters. Inadequate security measures put these 
travelers at risk. Our bill authorizes $597 million for Amtrak to 
address fire and safety issues in tunnels in New York, NY, Baltimore, 
MD, and Washington, DC. In addition, $65 million is authorized for 
Amtrak system-wide security upgrades.

[[Page E1463]]

  It is particularly disturbing that the federal government has yet to 
complete a national, risk-based threat management plan for preventing 
attacks upon our nation's rail system. The GAO report, ``Rail Safety 
and Security: Some Actions Already Taken to Enhance Rail Security, but 
Risk-Based Plan Needed,'' which I, along with my colleagues Jim 
Oberstar, Henry Waxman, and Marty Meehan requested in 2001, concluded 
that ``the adequacy of this industry plan to protect communities and 
the railroad infrastructure is still unclear since the Transportation 
Security Administration lacks the framework for systematically 
evaluating and prioritizing actions needed to ensure the safety and 
security of the transportation of hazardous materials by rail.''
  The PROTECTS Act authorizes grants to State and local governments and 
emergency responders for proper equipment and protective gear for 
hazardous material incidents. In addition, the act ensures that 
responders are properly trained and are familiar with the different 
types of hazardous materials that pass through and are stored in their 
communities.
  A clear comprehensive industry plan is needed to protect communities 
and rail infrastructure. With 530 rail stations throughout the 
country--some of those no more than open platforms where passengers can 
walk freely onto the train--stringent airport-like security measures 
are not possible. However, the PROTECTS Act will ensure that the 
necessary steps to address security vulnerabilities on our rail system 
are implemented and that a comprehensive plan is developed.
  The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States 
(9/11 Commission) in their report that was released today concludes 
that the United States needs to develop strategies for neglected parts 
of our transportation security system. Also, the report recommends that 
we address problems of biometric screening between agencies and 
governments, including border and transportation systems. Our bill 
provides funding and authorizations to aid such efforts.
  We got an urgent wake up call on September 11, which we answered. The 
commuter rail station bombing in Madrid was a second wakeup call. The 
PROTECTS Act is how we will answer that call. We have to do all that we 
can to secure America and its citizens against terrorists' threats. Why 
wait for the other shoe to drop, we need to act now to protect rail and 
rail passengers before we wake up to another tragic terrorist incident.

                          ____________________