[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 30, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H3246-H3247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MASS TRANSIT INTELLIGENCE PRIORITIZATION ACT
Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 3140) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to
direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize the assignment
of officers and analysts to certain State and urban area fusion centers
to enhance the security of mass transit systems.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3140
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Mass Transit Intelligence
Prioritization Act''.
SEC. 2. MASS TRANSIT INTELLIGENCE PRIORITIZATION.
Section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C.
124h) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (f) through (k) as
subsections (e) through (l), respectively;
(2) in subsection (l), as so redesignated, by striking
``subsection (i)'' and inserting ``subsection (j)''; and
(3) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new
subsection (f):
``(f) Mass Transit Intelligence Prioritization.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make it a priority
to assign officers and intelligence analysts under this
section from the Department, including the Transportation
Security Administration, to participating State and urban
area fusion centers located in high-risk jurisdictions with
mass transit systems in order to enhance the security of such
mass transit systems by assisting Federal, State, local, and
tribal law enforcement authorities in identifying,
investigating, and otherwise interdicting persons, weapons,
and contraband that pose a threat to homeland security.
``(2) Mass transit intelligence products.--When performing
the responsibilities described in subsection (d), officers
and intelligence analysts assigned to participating State and
urban area fusion centers under this section shall have, as a
primary responsibility, the creation of mass transit
intelligence products that--
``(A) assist State, local, and tribal law enforcement
agencies in deploying their resources most efficiently to
help detect and interdict terrorists, weapons of mass
destruction, and contraband at mass transit systems of the
United States;
``(B) promote more consistent and timely dissemination of
mass transit security-relevant information among
jurisdictions with mass transit systems; and
``(C) enhance the Department's situational awareness with
respect to the threat of acts of terrorism at or involving
mass transit systems of the United States.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. King) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
{time} 1830
General Leave
Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Only due to the shortness of time, I will keep my remarks brief. This
bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and directs the DHS
Secretary to make it a priority to assign officers and intelligence
analysts to participate in State and urban area fusion centers located
in high-risk jurisdictions with mass transit systems.
I would like to thank Congresswoman Speier and Chairman Meehan for
their dedicated work in this area.
I reserve the balance of my time.
This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the
Secretary of Homeland Security to make it a priority to assign DHS
officers and intelligence analysts to participate in state and urban
area fusion centers located in high-risk jurisdictions with mass
transit systems.
I would like to thank Congresswoman Speier and Chairman Meehan for
their dedicated work in this area.
These officers and analysts will enhance the security of mass transit
systems by assisting law enforcement authorities in identifying,
investigating, and otherwise interdicting persons, weapons, and
contraband that pose a threat to homeland security.
The primary responsibility of these officers and analysts will be to
create mass transit intelligence products that assist law enforcement
agencies in deploying their resources more efficiently, promote more
consistent and timely dissemination of mass transit security-related
information among jurisdictions with mass transit systems, and improve
DHS' situational awareness in regard to the threat of terrorist acts at
or involving U.S. mass transit.
It has been noted in documents uncovered from his Abbottabad
compound, that Osama bin Laden expressed a continued interested in
striking mass transit systems in the United States--railroads in
particular.
That raid is a stark reminder that--after 9/11, the Christmas Day
plot, Najibullah Zazi, Bryant Neal Vinas, and others--al Qaeda is still
focused on striking our transportation systems. I urge support for this
bipartisan measure.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.
3140, the Mass Transit Intelligence Prioritization Act, and I yield
myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as ranking member on the Committee on Homeland Security,
I have observed that mass transit systems over the years have
consistently been a target for terrorist groups, including al Qaeda.
H.R. 3140, the Mass Transit Intelligence Prioritization Act, requires
the Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize the assignment of mass
transit intelligence analysts, including from TSA, to State and local
fusion centers with major mass transit systems in their jurisdictions.
In short, this is a commonsense bill that would enhance security for
the mass transit systems of our Nation by improving the sharing of
information, and I urge my colleagues' support of it.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she
may consume to the original sponsor of the legislation under
consideration and a former member of the Committee on Homeland
Security, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier).
Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding and
the chairman for his leadership as well.
As has been mentioned, this bill is important in our efforts to make
sure that mass transit is under the umbrella for the sharing of
information. Let us not forget that in 2004 al Qaeda detonated multiple
explosives during rush hour on a packed commuter train in Madrid,
Spain, killing 191 people. A little more than a year later in London, a
terrorist cell linked to al Qaeda carried out four suicide bombings,
three of them on the London Underground, killing more than 50. To date,
the United States has not experienced the death and destruction
associated with dirty bombs or a mass transit attack. But that doesn't
mean we haven't had close calls. In fact, in September of 2009,
Najibullah Zazi was arrested in New York City for allegedly plotting to
blow up New York City subways.
In October 2010, the FBI arrested a man who was plotting a large-
scale attack here in Washington, D.C. on the Metro system. Last year he
was sentenced to 23 years in Federal prison.
Most recently, we learned through documents taken from the compound
of Osama bin Laden following the successful Navy SEAL raid that al
Qaeda was plotting to attack U.S. mass transit systems to commemorate
the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
Millions of Americans travel each day on mass transit to work, but
these systems, such as subways, have relatively few security measures.
This bill will change that. It will make sure that fusion centers bring
together Federal, State, and local law enforcement and emergency
management agencies to share information and protect communities. The
bill further requires that officers assigned to these fusion centers
create mass transit intelligence products. One of the key lessons of 9/
11 is information-sharing is key to terrorism prevention.
I urge my colleagues to support this measure. The CBO has determined
that this bill would have no significant impact on the budget. I also
would like to pay special respect to the chair of the Counterterrorism
and Intelligence Subcommittee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, who I
enjoyed working with immensely
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. I have no other speakers, and I'm
prepared to close.
[[Page H3247]]
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3140, as introduced by our former committee
colleague, Ms. Speier, is a needed, commonsense piece of legislation
with a history of bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to support
this measure and the security of our mass transit systems.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I come from a region which has
almost 6 million daily passengers on subway and commuter lines. This
legislation is absolutely vital, I urge its adoption, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 3140,
the Mass Transit Intelligence Prioritization Act. Since the
catastrophic events of September 11th, 2001 the United States has gone
to every possible length to prevent another terrorist attack.
Unfortunately, our enemies cannot be deterred through logic and
reason. No matter how secure we make our borders they will always be
developing new ways to threaten our citizens. For this reason it is
vital that America continues to improve its security and intelligence
capabilities.
Since 9/11 mass transit attacks against the West have been on the
rise. In 2004 a terrorist cell of Al Qaeda detonated multiple
explosives on packed trains in Madrid, Spain, killing 191 people. Only
a year later London was attacked by another cell linked to Al Qaeda.
Four suicide bombers, all of whom were on public transportation killed
more than fifty people. The Mumbai attacks followed, which killed over
200 people during evening rush hour on the local train network.
Mr. Speaker, if there is one lesson to take away from all of these
horrific events, it is that America is still frighteningly vulnerable
to a mass transit attack. Terrorists continue to develop methods to get
around our security systems and inflict as much damage as possible.
As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security it is my duty
to ensure everything possible is being done to prevent another attack
on U.S. soil. In my own district in California there are multiple
systems that could be prone to attack, but across the country there are
systems that have little protection.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest
public transportation system. It serves a population of 14.6 million
people in the 5,000-square-mile area fanning out from New York City
through Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. Each
weekday an average of 8,487,642 use this system. If this system is
targeted, they have little security or defense and millions of people
could be at risk.
The Mass Transit Intelligence Prioritization Act aims to direct the
Secretary of Homeland Security to prioritize intelligence officers and
analysts, including those from the Transportation Security
Administration to high-risk jurisdictions with mass transit systems.
The bill also requires the officers assigned to these areas to develop
mass transit intelligence products as a primary responsibility.
This bill offers a way to promote the timely sharing of information
between Federal, State and local partners, with the ultimate goal of
preventing any attack against an American mass transit system.
Mr. Speaker, I fully support H.R. 3140 and the added security it
brings to American citizens, and all those using our public
transportation systems.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
H.R. 3140, ``Mass Transit Intelligence Prioritization Act.'' This
legislation would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002. It calls for
the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to make it a priority to
assign DHS officers and intelligence analysts, including from the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), to participating state
and urban area fusion centers located in high-risk jurisdictions with
mass transit systems to enhance the security of these systems. These
officers would help local enforcement authorities identify and
investigate any threats to homeland security.
The DHS officers and analysts will also be responsible for creating
mass transit intelligence products that will: (1) assist law
enforcement agencies in deploying their resources most efficiently to
help detect and interdict terrorists, weapons of mass destruction, and
contraband at U.S. mass transit systems; (2) promote more consistent
and timely dissemination of mass transit security-relevant information
among jurisdictions with such systems; and (3) enhance DHS's
situational awareness with respect to the threat of terrorist acts at
or involving U.S. mass transit systems.
As a Ranking Member on the Subcommittee for Transportation, ensuring
the safety and security of the nation's public transportation system is
one of my top priorities.
Mass transit systems across the world have continually been a target
for terrorist threats, namely the 2004 terrorist attack on a packed
commuter train in Madrid, Spain that killed 191 people. There was also
the suicide bombing attack in London that left 50 dead in 2005.
While we have so far been fortunate to have not had any incidents of
terrorism in our mass transit systems, we know of the threat planned by
al-Qaeda to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 by attacking US
mass transit systems. Thankfully, a Naval SEALS raid on Osama bin
Laden's compound discovered and thwarted this plot.
Rising gas prices have caused metro transportation systems to be used
now more than ever, creating an additional urgency to keep citizens
safe on the daily commute.
According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA),
Americans made 10.4 billion trips on public transportation in 2011.
This is the second highest annual ridership since 1957. Houston's
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County accounted for 5.2
percent of that gain and has seen six consecutive months of increased
ridership. In Houston, we understand the importance of a secured public
transportation system.
Our metro transit system is closely partnered with the US Department
of Homeland Security. It is equipped with surveillance capabilities and
our officers are trained in counterterrorism measures as well as in the
latest law enforcement techniques. In addition officers regularly check
bus and rail lines and perform sweeps through the Transit Center as
well as through the Park & Ride lots and bus stops.
As the city grows and new metro employees are hired, it is my goal
that the Houston public transportation system maintains its high level
of security and a strong relationship with Homeland Security. I desire
this same level of security for all of the public transportation
systems in the US.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3140 ``Mass
Transit Intelligence Prioritization Act.''
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. King) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 3140.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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