[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 37 (Thursday, March 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        AVIATION SECURITY STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION ACT OF 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing 
legislation that strengthens our transportation security.
  The 9/11 Commission identified key vulnerabilities that existed 
across our transportation security and how they were exploited by the 
9/11 hijackers.
  Soon after 9/11, industry representatives across the transportation 
sector, including labor, cargo and aviation representatives came 
together to support the Transportation Security Administration in 
developing a robust and layered security program that addressed threats 
and vulnerabilities across the aviation security.
  The Aviation Security Advisory Committee, first established in 1989 
after the Pan American World Airways Flight 103, has played a critical 
role in the development of transportation security policies and 
protocols.
  However, under TSA, the ASAC remained inactive for several years and 
reportedly reorganized in 2008 and renewed with a charter in 2011 after 
receiving pressure from Congress to reconstitute this group.
  This was done after stakeholders expressed ongoing frustrations to 
Congress about the lack in dialog between them and TSA in developing 
transportation security policies.
  This legislation will establish the Aviation Security Advisory 
Committee (ASAC) into law and will ensure that TSA engages with 
critical stakeholders prior and throughout the modification of critical 
policy changes such as the one announced last week.
  Specifically, my legislation authorizes the ASAC and requires the 
establishment of targeted working groups on air cargo, general 
aviation, perimeter security and risk based security, which will allow 
the ASAC to address security issues that require effective 
collaboration between the government and the private sector.
  One glaring example that underscores the need for this legislation is 
TSA's recent decision to modify its prohibited items list and allow 
knives and sporting equipment that could be used as weapons through 
checkpoint security without a robust and formal engagement with 
stakeholders.
  TSA decided that passengers would be allowed to bring knives with 
blades as long as 2.36 inches on airplanes. Further, TSA adjusted its 
``Prohibited Items List'' to allow passengers to bring up to one hockey 
stick, one lacrosse stick, two golf clubs, and small souvenir bats as 
carry on items.
  Not surprising, this announcement immediately received significant 
criticism from industry representatives, air carriers, passenger 
groups, flight attendants, pilots, law enforcement groups and even the 
representative for TSA's frontline screener workforce.
  I too have expressed my deepest concerns with this policy, not just 
because TSA is allowing certain questionable items aboard a plane 
without a justification for its decision, but because TSA decided not 
to consult with stakeholder representatives prior to announcing changes 
to this policy.
  The general public and stakeholders such as flight attendants, 
pilots, airlines, and air marshals are the most affected by this 
decision.
  By authorizing the ASAC into law, we can ensure that TSA will not 
dismantle the important advisory committee and be required to utilize 
this valuable mechanism when developing policies that impact millions 
of passengers and critical stakeholders.
  I want to also recognize my colleagues Congressman Richmond, Ranking 
Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, and all other 
members of the Subcommittee, including Congresswoman Jackson Lee and 
Congressman Swalwell, as original cosponsors to this legislation.
  Enactment of my legislation will increase security in the aviation 
system and mitigate ever-present terrorist threats.

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