[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 35 (Thursday, March 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RAIL AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2007

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, today I have introduced a bill to 
improve the security of railroad, public transportation, and over-the-
road bus systems in the United States.
  Tragically, transit and rail systems have long been popular targets 
of terrorist attacks worldwide. From 1991 to 2001, 42 percent of all 
terrorist incidents were carried out on rail systems or buses. Recent 
tragic events show that these threats continue.
  On March 11, 2004, a coordinated terrorist attack against the 
commuter train system of Madrid, Spain, killed 191 people and wounded 
more than 2,000 others. On July 7, 2005, four bombs exploded on the 
London transit system, killing 52 people and injuring 700 others. It 
was the deadliest bombing in London since World War II. On July 11, 
2006, a series of seven bomb blasts that took place over a period of 11 
minutes on the Suburban Railway in Mumbai, India's financial capital, 
killed 209 people and injured over 700 others.
  The characteristics of transit and passenger rail systems make them 
inherently vulnerable to terrorist attacks and difficult to secure. 
Public transportation and rail systems are open, have multiple access 
points, are hubs serving multiple carriers, and in some cases, have no 
barriers. In addition, high volume of passengers and freight, expensive 
infrastructure, economic importance, and location make these systems 
attractive targets for terrorists because of the potential for mass 
casualties, economic damage, and disruption.
  The potential to do harm is truly enormous. In the United States, 
every day, more than 14 million people use public transportation. 
Public transportation agencies provide 9.5 billion transit trips 
annually. The over-the-road bus industry, which provides intercity bus 
service and charter service, transports 774 million passengers 
annually. Amtrak and commuter railroads serve more than 500 million 
passengers annually.
  Unfortunately, despite this stark reality, investments to enhance the 
security of our Nation's surface transportation systems have not kept 
pace with the needs. Last year, the Federal Government invested $4.7 
billion in aviation security improvements, while spending only $136 
million on transit and rail security, even though five times as many 
people take trains as planes every day.
  The bill I have introduced today requires several measures that will 
address the security challenges faced by our Nation's railroads, public 
transportation agencies, and over-the-road bus operators. Specifically, 
the legislation:
  Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Transportation, to develop and implement a National Rail 
and Public Transportation Security Plan, as required in the 
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-
458), but which has not been completed.
  Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination 
with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue regulations 
establishing a security program for rail carriers, public 
transportation providers, and over-the-road bus operators. Carriers and 
operators considered to be at high or medium risk of terrorist attack, 
as determined by DHS, are required to conduct an assessment of the 
vulnerability of their infrastructure and operations to terrorism and 
to prepare and implement a security plan.
  Requires DHS, in coordination with DOT, to establish separate 
security assistance grant programs for rail, transit, and over-the-road 
bus, to provide capital and operating assistance based on priorities 
established by the security assessments. DHS would be responsible for 
establishing grant program priorities, while DOT would be responsible 
for making grants to eligible recipients based on DOT's existing grant 
structure.
  Authorizes specific grants to Amtrak for tunnel improvements and 
upgrades, and further requires an increase in the number of DHS rail 
security Inspectors.
  Addresses a critical security gap by requiring mandatory security 
training for employees in the industries covered by the bill. This 
provision and the timeline established will ensure that front-line 
transit workers are properly trained to address security needs.
  Establishes certain whistleblower protections for employees of 
railroads, public transportation agencies, and over-the-road bus 
companies; as well employees of DOT, DHS, and contractors.
  Madam Speaker, this bill carefully crafts a joint approach on 
security. The bill maximizes the expertise and core competencies of 
both DHS and DOT, to enhance the implementation of these critically 
important, and long overdue, security programs.
  DOT has played and continues to play a significant role in securing 
our Nation's transit and rail systems. DOT is the government's lead 
agency on transportation safety and efficiency. Decisions on security 
measures cannot be made in a vacuum without consideration of the 
effects on safety and efficiency. While DHS is the lead agency on 
security, it must work cooperatively with DOT to ensure that safety is 
not impaired and security measures do not unnecessarily impair 
efficiency.
  The Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Railroad 
Administration, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration have all signed Memorandums of Understanding with DHS to 
clarify the roles and responsibilities of each agency with respect to 
security. This bill honors and follows the principles outlined in these 
existing agreements.
  I would like to thank Representative Bennie Thompson, Chairman of the 
Committee on Homeland Security, for his cooperation to date on rail, 
public transportation, and over-the-road bus security legislation. I 
look forward to continuing our joint work to bring a comprehensive 
surface transportation security bill to the House floor as quickly as 
possible.

                          ____________________