[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 56 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RAIL AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2007

       Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee 
     of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the 
     consideration of the bill (H.R. 1401) to improve the security 
     of railroads, public transportation, and over-the-road buses 
     in the United States, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 1401, the ``Rail and Public Transportation Security 
Act.''
  Since the attacks on 9/11, we have seen the tragic consequences when 
the vulnerabilities of rail and public transportation systems are 
exploited, including in London and Madrid. We cannot afford to wait for 
an attack here in America before we make rail and transit security the 
priority it needs to be.
  Tens of billions of dollars have been spent on aviation security 
since 9/11, yet only $660 million has been devoted to mass transit 
security. While we all agree that air travel needs to be as safe as 
possible, we cannot forget about the security of the millions of people 
who are riding subways, trains, and busses everyday.
  This bipartisan legislation will help to make our Nation's railways 
and public transportation systems safer by requiring the Departments of 
Homeland Security and Transportation to develop a national strategy for 
the security of these systems after assessing the significant risks 
associated with them. The bill would authorize $6 billion over the next 
four years for grant programs and it would require training for rail, 
transit, and bus employees about prevention, preparation, and response 
to a terrorist attack. H.R. 1401 increases the number of full-time 
surface transportation inspectors and it requires the development of 
regulations for the transportation of sensitive materials including the 
possibilities of alternative routes.
  I am especially pleased to note that this bill provides critical 
whistleblower protections for DHS, DoT, and rail and public 
transportation employees who report security risks or violations. Just 
this month the House passed legislation that, among other provisions, 
extended important whistleblower protections to employees of 
intelligence agencies and to federal contractors. It is important that 
we protect those who by blowing the whistle on misconduct or wrongdoing 
help keep this country safe.
  Our constituents should feel as safe as possible whether they commute 
daily on a train or bus or whether they are occasional travelers on 
public transportation systems. Passage of the bill before us today is 
an important step in enhancing the security of the Nation's mass 
transit systems.
  I urge my colleagues to vote aye.

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