[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 99 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION PROCESS REFORM ACT

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                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3173, 
which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to reform the process 
for the enrollment, activation, issuance of renewal of a Transportation 
Worker Identification Credential, TWIC, to require, in total, not more 
than one in-person visit to a designated enrollment center.
  The TWIC program was established to ensure all individuals who 
require admittance into secure areas of regulated maritime facilities 
and vessels are properly vetted and do not pose a threat to maritime 
and supply chain security. Current TWIC requirements require that 
applicants go to an enrollment center twice to complete the application 
and confirm the biometric information embedded into the card.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is an onerous burden for workers in 
the maritime industry, such as merchant vessel operators and truck 
drivers, who must obtain the credential for employment. Individuals in 
need of a TWIC card often work long hours with little down time. Many 
cannot afford to take extended periods of time off to go to an 
enrollment center, in some cases located hundreds of miles away, on two 
different occasions.
  I believe that the Secretary of Homeland Security should reform the 
TWIC process before the end of 2012, when the TWICs first issued in 
2007 will need to be renewed allowing applicants to complete the 
process with only one in-person visit. I urge Members of Congress to 
support H.R. 3173, to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to 
reform the process for the enrollment, activation, issuance, and 
renewal of the TWIC program.

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