[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 170 (Tuesday, December 3, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H7414-H7418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        AVIATION SECURITY STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION ACT OF 2013

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1204) to amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the 
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security 
Administration) to establish an Aviation Security Advisory Committee, 
and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1204

       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 ``Aviation Security 
     Stakeholder Participation Act of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. AVIATION SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 449 of title 49, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``Sec. 44946. Aviation Security Advisory Committee

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Assistant Secretary shall 
     establish within the Transportation Security Administration 
     an advisory committee to be known as the `Aviation Security 
     Advisory Committee'.
       ``(b) Duties.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall consult 
     the Advisory Committee on aviation security matters, 
     including on the development, refinement, and implementation 
     of policies, programs, rulemaking, and security directives 
     pertaining to aviation security, while adhering to sensitive 
     security guidelines.
       ``(2) Recommendations.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall develop, at 
     the request of the Assistant Secretary, recommendations for 
     improvements to aviation security.
       ``(B) Recommendations of subcommittees.--Recommendations 
     agreed upon by the subcommittees established under this 
     section shall be approved by the Advisory Committee for 
     transmission to the Assistant Secretary.
       ``(3) Periodic reports.--The Advisory Committee shall 
     periodically submit to the Assistant Secretary--
       ``(A) reports on matters identified by the Assistant 
     Secretary; and
       ``(B) reports on other matters identified by a majority of 
     the members of the Advisory Committee.
       ``(4) Annual report.--The Advisory Committee shall submit 
     to the Assistant Secretary an annual report providing 
     information on the activities, findings, and recommendations 
     of the Advisory Committee, including its subcommittees, for 
     the preceding year.
       ``(5) Feedback.--Not later than 90 days after receiving 
     recommendations transmitted by the Advisory Committee under 
     paragraph (4), the Assistant Secretary shall respond in 
     writing to the Advisory Committee with feedback on each of 
     such recommendations, an action plan to implement any of such 
     recommendations with which the Assistant Secretary concurs, 
     and a detailed justification for why any of such 
     recommendations have been rejected.
       ``(6) Congressional notification.--Not later than 30 days 
     after providing written feedback to the Advisory Committee in 
     accordance with paragraph (5), the Assistant Secretary shall 
     brief the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate on such feedback.
       ``(7) Report to congress.--Prior to briefing the Committee 
     on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate in accordance with paragraph (6), the Assistant 
     Secretary shall submit to such committees a report containing 
     information relating to the recommendations transmitted by 
     the Advisory Committee in accordance with paragraph (4).
       ``(c) Membership.--
       ``(1) Appointment.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this section, the Assistant Secretary shall 
     appoint the members of the Advisory Committee.
       ``(B) Composition.--The membership of the Advisory 
     Committee shall consist of individuals representing not more 
     than 32 member organizations. Each organization shall be 
     represented by one individual (or the individual's designee).
       ``(C) Representation.--The membership of the Advisory 
     Committee shall include representatives of air carriers, all 
     cargo air transportation, indirect air carriers, labor 
     organizations representing air carrier employees, aircraft 
     manufacturers, airport operators, general aviation, privacy 
     organizations, the travel industry, airport based businesses, 
     including minority owned small businesses, businesses that 
     conduct security operations at airports, aeronautical repair 
     stations, passenger advocacy groups, the aviation technology 
     security industry, including biometrics, victims of terrorist 
     acts against aviation, and law enforcement and security 
     experts.
       ``(2) Removal.--The Assistant Secretary may review the 
     participation of a member of the Advisory Committee and 
     remove such member for cause at any time.
       ``(3) Prohibition on compensation.--The members of the 
     Advisory Committee shall not receive pay, allowances, or 
     benefits from the Government by reason of their service on 
     the Advisory Committee.
       ``(4) Meetings.--The Assistant Secretary shall require the 
     Advisory Committee to meet at least semiannually and may 
     convene additional meetings as necessary.
       ``(d) Air Cargo Security Subcommittee.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall establish 
     within the Advisory Committee an air cargo security 
     subcommittee to provide recommendations on air cargo security 
     issues, including the implementation of the air cargo 
     security programs established by the Transportation Security 
     Administration to screen air cargo on passenger aircraft and 
     all-cargo aircraft in accordance with established cargo 
     screening mandates.
       ``(2) Meetings and reporting.--The subcommittee shall meet 
     at least quarterly and submit to the Advisory Committee for 
     inclusion in the annual report required under subsection 
     (b)(4) information, including recommendations, regarding air 
     cargo security. Such submissions shall include 
     recommendations to improve the Transportation Security 
     Administration's cargo security initiatives established to 
     meet the requirements of section 44901(g).
       ``(3) Membership.--The subcommittee shall--
       ``(A) include members of the Advisory Committee with 
     expertise in air cargo operations; and
       ``(B) be cochaired by a Government and industry official.
       ``(e) General Aviation Security Subcommittee.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall establish 
     within the Advisory Committee a general aviation subcommittee 
     to provide recommendations on transportation security issues 
     for general aviation facilities, general aviation

[[Page H7415]]

     aircraft, and helicopter operations at general aviation and 
     commercial service airports.
       ``(2) Meetings and reporting.--The subcommittee shall meet 
     at least quarterly and submit to the Advisory Committee for 
     inclusion in the annual report required under subsection 
     (b)(4) information, including recommendations, regarding 
     aviation security at general aviation airports.
       ``(3) Membership.--The subcommittee shall--
       ``(A) include members of the Advisory Committee with 
     expertise in general aviation; and
       ``(B) be cochaired by a Government and industry official.
       ``(f) Perimeter Security, Exit Lane Security, and Access 
     Control Subcommittee.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall establish 
     within the Advisory Committee an airport perimeter security, 
     exit lane security, and access control subcommittee to 
     provide recommendations on airport perimeter security, exit 
     lane security at commercial service airports, and access 
     control issues.
       ``(2) Meetings and reporting.--The subcommittee shall meet 
     at least quarterly and submit to the Advisory Committee for 
     inclusion in the annual report required under subsection 
     (b)(4) information, including recommendations, regarding 
     improving perimeter security, exit lane security at 
     commercial service airports, and access control procedures at 
     commercial service and general aviation airports.
       ``(3) Membership.--The subcommittee shall--
       ``(A) include members of the Advisory Committee with 
     expertise in airport perimeter security and access control 
     issues; and
       ``(B) be co-chaired by a Government and industry official.
       ``(g) Risk-based Subcommittee.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall establish 
     within the Advisory Committee a risk-based subcommittee to 
     provide recommendations on passenger screening policies and 
     cargo.
       ``(2) Meetings and reporting.--The subcommittee shall meet 
     at least quarterly and submit to the Advisory Committee for 
     inclusion in the annual report required under subsection 
     (b)(4) information, including recommendations, regarding the 
     Transportation Security Administration's risk-based security 
     programs.
       ``(3) Membership.--The subcommittee shall--
       ``(A) include members of the Advisory Committee with 
     expertise in passenger advocacy and airport security 
     operations; and
       ``(B) be cochaired by a Government and industry official.
       ``(h) Security Technology Subcommittee.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall establish 
     within the Advisory Committee a security technology 
     subcommittee to provide recommendations on security 
     technology issues, including harmonization of security 
     technology standards and requirements.
       ``(2) Meetings and reporting.--The subcommittee shall meet 
     at least quarterly and submit to the Advisory Committee for 
     inclusion in the annual report required under subsection 
     (b)(4) information, including recommendations, regarding 
     security technology. Such submissions shall include 
     recommendations to improve the Transportation Security 
     Administration's utilization of security technology and 
     harmonization of security technology standards and 
     requirements. All recommendations shall be in furtherance of 
     aviation security and technology neutral.
       ``(3) Membership.--The subcommittee shall--
       ``(A) include members of the Advisory Committee with 
     expertise in checkpoint, baggage, and air cargo security 
     technology; and
       ``(B) be co-chaired by a Government and industry official.
       ``(i) Other Subcommittees.--The Assistant Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Advisory Committee, may establish 
     within the Advisory Committee any other subcommittee that the 
     Assistant Secretary and Advisory Committee determine 
     necessary.
       ``(j) Subject Matter Experts.--Each subcommittee under this 
     section shall include subject matter experts with relevant 
     expertise who are appointed by the respective subcommittee 
     chairperson.
       ``(k) Nonapplicability of FACA.--The Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory 
     Committee and its subcommittees.
       ``(l) Definitions.--In this section, the following 
     definitions apply:
       ``(1) Advisory committee.--The term `Advisory Committee' 
     means the Aviation Security Advisory Committee established 
     under subsection (a).
       ``(2) Assistant secretary.--The term `Assistant Secretary' 
     means the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security 
     (Transportation Security Administration).
       ``(3) Perimeter security.--The term `perimeter security'--
       ``(A) means procedures or systems to monitor, secure, and 
     prevent unauthorized access to an airport, including its 
     airfield and terminal; and
       ``(B) includes the fence area surrounding an airport, 
     access gates, and access controls.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for subchapter II of 
     chapter 449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new item:

``44946. Aviation Security Advisory Committee.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. McCaul) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Richmond) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1300

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill, the Aviation 
Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 2013, sponsored by the 
ranking member of the full Committee on Homeland Security, Mr. 
Thompson.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people know that the TSA is charged with 
protecting our aviation systems against another horrific terrorist 
attack like we experienced on September 11, 2001. However, the role of 
industry stakeholders--from pilots and flight attendants to private 
screening companies and airport operators--is equally as critical, 
albeit less visible.
  TSA is in the spotlight, for better or for worse; but many of TSA's 
private sector partners are also responsible for implementing effective 
security programs and keeping travelers safe. This shared 
responsibility is precisely why TSA cannot make decisions in a vacuum, 
as it has been known to do.
  The bill before us sends a necessary message to TSA leadership, and 
frankly to all DHS leadership, that the Congress values stakeholder 
input, private sector collaboration, and thoughtful planning prior to 
rolling out new policies and procedures that affect millions of 
travelers.
  The Aviation Security Advisory Committee that is authorized in this 
legislation serves as a valuable sounding board for TSA decisionmakers. 
By codifying the committee in statute, we will prevent a needless 
expiration of its charter and disbandment, which has already happened 
once under TSA.
  As chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I am proud of the 
manner in which this bill was thoughtfully considered and amended in 
committee by Members on both sides of the aisle, and I thank the 
ranking member for his work on this important issue.
  I think the more recent example we have with the knives being allowed 
on the airplanes without input and participation by the flight 
attendants and the pilots is a classic example of this Department not 
talking to the private sector about what can better protect them and 
passengers on airplanes. Of course, that decision was reversed by the 
Director of TSA, eventually, after he consulted with the stakeholders 
in the community. This bill will provide that they consult with those 
stakeholders before such decisions are made.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 1204, the Aviation Security Stakeholder 
Participation Act.
  Mr. Speaker, soliciting input from impacted stakeholders is critical 
to developing effective policies. H.R. 1204, introduced by the ranking 
member of the Committee on Homeland Security, Representative Thompson 
of Mississippi, codifies that sentiment by making permanent the 
Aviation Security Advisory Committee.
  Soon after 9/11, industry representatives from all corners of the 
transportation sector gathered to support TSA's efforts to develop an 
efficient, effective, and workable security program. For a number of 
years, the advisory committee was a productive partner to TSA. 
Unfortunately, TSA allowed the advisory committee to become inactive by 
letting the charter lapse.
  Although the Aviation Security Advisory Committee's charter was 
renewed in 2011, it was only in response to congressional pressure by 
Ranking Member Thompson in this committee and the repeated complaints 
about the lack of dialogue between TSA and the industry stakeholders. 
The advisory committee is a valuable asset to our Nation's aviation 
security because it helps ensure that the policies that TSA develops 
are responsive to security challenges and can be effectively integrated 
into security operations. Simply

[[Page H7416]]

put, the advisory committee is too valuable to Homeland Security to 
risk it becoming inactive again.
  I applaud Ranking Member Thompson for introducing this legislation to 
make the Aviation Security Advisory Committee permanent, and I thank 
the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee for making sure that it 
moved through the process quickly, and both for seeing the wisdom of 
making this legislation law.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hudson), chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Aviation 
Security Stakeholder Participation Act introduced by my friend, the 
ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, Mr. Bennie Thompson.
  This commonsense bill ensures stakeholders have a seat at the table 
when working with their partners at the Transportation Security 
Administration. Too many times in government we see a lack of 
communication between government officials and industry stakeholders. 
This gap is troubling as it creates a vacuum of ideas and does not 
allow for a flow of information between the Federal Government and the 
private sector that is necessary.
  Mr. Thompson's bill, which passed out of our committee unanimously, 
would bridge that gap by allowing the Aviation Security Advisory 
Committee to take effect and have the constant line of communication to 
exchange ideas and formulate thoughtful procedures at the agency 
responsible for security of commercial aviation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), the ranking member of the 
Committee on Homeland Security.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 1204, the Aviation Security 
Stakeholder Participation Act of 2013.
  Last Congress, I introduced a version of the legislation before us 
today when the charter for the Aviation Security Advisory Committee was 
allowed to expire, resulting in the advisory committee becoming 
inactive.
  Since shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, the 
advisory committee has provided formal stakeholder input and advice to 
TSA with respect to aviation security policies. I was pleased that in 
response to my bill, then-Secretary Napolitano restored this critical 
forum for stakeholder input.
  To prevent a lapse in the advisory committee's operation, it is 
important that it be codified in law. That is exactly what H.R. 1204 
does.
  The bill authorizes, in law, the establishment of the Aviation 
Security Advisory Committee to provide representatives from air 
carriers, aircraft manufacturers, airport operators, general aviation 
stakeholders and labor organizations, among others, an opportunity to 
provide input into policymaking and have their voices heard.
  It also requires the establishment of subcommittees to focus on cargo 
security, general aviation security, perimeter security, exit lane 
security, security-related technologies, and risk-based security, 
respectively.
  Whatever your thoughts about TSA's policy decisions, I believe we can 
all agree that such decisions should be made only after meaningful 
consultation and coordination with stakeholders.
  Earlier this year, when TSA announced proposed changes in its 
Prohibited Items List that would have resulted in knives being allowed 
on planes for the first time since 9/11, we got a firsthand glimpse of 
the problems that arise when stakeholders are not consulted.
  Only after an overwhelmingly negative reaction to this decision did 
Administrator Pistole put the issue before the advisory committee for 
review. Ultimately, after this critical consultation, TSA reversed its 
decision.
  Mr. Speaker, it is clear that consultation is important; it is clear 
that codifying this bill is that necessary. But I would also like to 
add that there are other organizations who want to be placed in the 
record in support of it: the Cargo Airline Association, the Association 
of Flight Attendants, the U.S. Travel Association, the Airports Council 
International, the Security Manufacturers Coalition, the General 
Aviation Manufacturers Association, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots 
Association.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to once again support 
legislation to codify the Aviation Security Advisory Committee.

                                               Aircraft Owners and


                                           Pilots Association,

                               Washington, DC, September 30, 2013.
     Hon. Bennie G. Thompson,
     Ranking Member, House Committee on Homeland Security, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Ranking Member Thompson: I write on behalf of the 
     nearly 400,000 members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots 
     Association (AOPA) in support of your legislation H.R. 1204, 
     the ``Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 
     2013.''
       Your legislation requires TSA to formally establish an 
     Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) to advise on 
     aviation security matters. The ASAC will ensure that general 
     aviation (GA) has a seat at the table for discussion of 
     programs and policy changes related to the improvement of 
     aviation security. Also, the creation of a dedicated GA 
     Security Subcommittee will provide that our community is 
     consulted before major policy changes occur that have a 
     direct impact on GA pilots, aircraft, and airports.
       We look forward to working with the Committee in the future 
     to continue to improve general aviation security.
           Sincerely,
                                                Lorraine Howerton,
     AOPA, Vice President of Legislative Affairs.
                                  ____

                                                  General Aviation


                                    Manufacturers Association,

                                 Washington, DC, October 28, 2013.
     Chairman Michael McCaul,
     Committee on Homeland Security,
     Washington, DC.
     Ranking Member Bennie Thompson,
     Committee on Homeland Security,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson: On behalf 
     of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, we write 
     to urge committee passage of H.R. 1204, the Aviation Security 
     Stakeholder Participation Act of 2013, introduced by 
     Congressman Bennie Thompson, and H.R. 2719, the 
     Transportation Security Acquisition and Reform Act, 
     introduced by Transportation Security Chairman Richard 
     Hudson. These items are slated to be marked up by the House 
     Homeland Security Committee on October 29, 2013.
       GAMA supports passage of H.R. 1204, the Aviation Security 
     Stakeholder Participation Act of 2013, given the important 
     step this measure takes to ensure that stakeholders are 
     included in the policymaking process at TSA. H.R. 1204 
     establishes the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, in 
     statute, to ensure that all aviation stakeholders, including 
     general aviation, are able to provide input to the TSA in 
     advance of policies being formally proposed. We are also 
     encouraged that H.R. 1204 provides for a general aviation 
     advisory subcommittee to specifically consider issues related 
     to general aviation.
       We also support passage of H.R. 2719, the Transportation 
     Security Acquisition and Reform Act, given the focus it 
     places on reform for the agency. While our member companies' 
     involvement in TSA acquisition is limited, the objectives of 
     this legislation are laudable and we hope such efforts will 
     be applied to other areas of TSA governance.
       In general, we are pleased that both bills place a priority 
     on improving key processes at the agency. Our member 
     companies remain confounded by a bureaucracy that penalizes 
     manufacturers competing in a global environment for 
     government inaction. Almost ten years have elapsed since TSA 
     was directed to promulgate a final rulemaking to secure 
     repair stations overseas. Today, we still await approval of 
     this rule. While efforts have been made to move this rule 
     forward, the overall government process for TSA security 
     rulemaking lacks accountability and appears to be profoundly 
     dysfunctional.
       We urge the committee to favorably consider these bills and 
     to continue their critical and constructive oversight of the 
     Department of Homeland Security and its agencies.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Peter J. Bunce,
     President and CEO.
                                  ____

                                Washington, DC, September 6, 2013.
     Hon. Bennie Thompson,
     Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Ranking Member Thompson: On behalf of the members of 
     the Cargo Airline Association, I am writing to support H.R. 
     1204, the Aviation Stakeholder Participation Act of 2013. 
     This Bill would require the reestablishment and maintenance 
     of an Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) to 
     facilitate communications between the Transportation Security 
     Administration (TSA) and the aviation industry.

[[Page H7417]]

       Historically, the ASAC formed the basis of major 
     initiatives, with industry members working closely with 
     Government Agencies to address a variety of security-related 
     issues. These issues have been traditionally discussed in 
     various Working Groups or Sub-Committees established under 
     the ASAC umbrella. A prime example of the utility of this 
     structure was the establishment of three air cargo Working 
     Groups formed to develop proposed new regulations to address 
     air cargo security threats after the September 11, 2001, 
     attacks. The recommendations of these Working Groups 
     eventually formed the basis of an entirely new TSA air cargo 
     regulatory scheme. H.R. 1204 contains a mandate, not only for 
     ASAC itself, but also for various Sub-Committees that would 
     address the key issues of the day. We support your efforts to 
     ensure ASAC remains a forum for the aviation industry and TSA 
     to work together.
           Sincerely,
                                              Stephen A. Alterman,
     President.
                                  ____



                             Security Manufacturers Coalition,

                                 Alexandria, VA, October 25, 2013.
     Hon. Bennie Thompson,
     Ranking Member, House Committee on Homeland Security, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Thompson: On behalf of the Security Manufacturers 
     Coalition (SMC), I want to express SMC's support for HR 1204, 
     the ``Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 
     2013.'' The Act, as we understand it, would codify the 
     Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Aviation 
     Security Advisory Committee (ASAC).
       As you know the SMC membership is made up of nine of the 
     leading U.S. manufacturers of security screening technology. 
     This scanning equipment is used in every major airport in the 
     U.S. and abroad, operating continuously 365 days a year, as 
     part of the overall effort to ensure the security of the 
     traveling public. The SMC formed with the primary purpose of 
     creating a conduit for TSA and the industry to work closely 
     on specific issues facing the development and deployment of 
     screening technology.
       The ASAC has been a valuable tool to foster an open 
     dialogue between TSA and aviation interest groups and 
     businesses. We believe the bill reinforces the proposition 
     that a robust, risked-based security system is the product of 
     input from all interested stakeholders.
       Thank you for your willingness to take the lead on this 
     important issue. The members of the Coalition sincerely 
     appreciate your interest in preserving through legislation a 
     committee that will make recommendations that will create a 
     safer aviation system for passengers.
           Sincerely,
                                                      T.J. Schulz,
     Director, Security Manufacturers Coalition.
                                  ____

                                             Association of Flight


                                     Attendants--CWA, AFL-CIO,

                                   Washington, DC, March 14, 2013.
     Hon. Bennie Thompson,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Thompson, On behalf of the Association of 
     Flight Attendants--CWA, I am writing to thank you for 
     introducing legislation to make the Aviation Security 
     Advisory Committee (ASAC) permanent.
       Having been a member of ASAC throughout its operative years 
     since 1989, I can assure you that it should be required to 
     function on an ongoing basis to ensure that the varied and 
     valuable perspectives of the stakeholders affected by 
     aviation security policy and programs are given the 
     opportunity to provide advice and recommendations to the TSA 
     in order to enhance its processes of evaluating and 
     countering threats to aviation security.
       Since 9/11, much has been asked of crewmembers to improve 
     aviation security and flight attendants serve as the last 
     line of defense on board the aircraft. Your bill to establish 
     a permanent ASAC will ensure that the forum for their input, 
     as well as that of other stakeholder members of the ASAC, 
     will contribute to a more thorough process for aviation 
     security without interruption.
           Sincerely,
                                         Christopher J. Witkowski,
     Director, Air Safety, Health and Security.
                                  ____



                                      U.S. Travel Association,

                                    Washington, DC, July 24, 2013.
     Rep. Richard Hudson,
     Chairman, Transportation Security Subcommittee, House 
         Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC.
     Rep. Cedric Richmond,
     Ranking Member, Transportation Security Subcommittee, House 
         Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Hudson and Ranking Member Richmond: On behalf 
     of the U.S. Travel Association, it is my pleasure to lend our 
     support for two bills the subcommittee will be marking up 
     later this week--namely, H.R. 1204, the Aviation Security 
     Stakeholder Participation Act, and H.R. 2719, the 
     Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act. Both of these 
     bills are consistent with the recommendations for 
     transportation security and travel facilitation that U.S. 
     Travel made when issuing ``A Better Way: Building a World-
     Class System for Aviation Security.'' Specifically, we 
     applaud the provisions of H.R. 1204, which recognize the role 
     of the travel industry as a stakeholder in the Aviation 
     Security Advisory Committee. Additionally, we strongly 
     support the sections of H.R. 2719, which require the 
     Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop a 
     multiyear technology investment plan.
       The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit 
     organization representing all components of the travel 
     industry that generates $2.0 trillion in economic output and 
     supports 14.6 million jobs. U.S. Travel's mission is to 
     increase travel to and within the United States.
       We look forward to working with you to see the House pass 
     both of these important pieces of legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Roger J. Dow,
     President & CEO.
                                  ____



                Airports Council International, July 24, 2013.

     Hon. Bennie G. Thompson,
     Ranking Member, House Committee on Homeland Security, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Ranking Member Thompson: On behalf of the Airports 
     Council International--North America (ACI-NA), which 
     represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that 
     own and operate commercial airports throughout the United 
     States and Canada, I am pleased to offer our endorsement of 
     H.R. 1204, the Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation 
     Act of 2013.
       Airport operators have long advocated for the 
     Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to re-establish 
     the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC). The ASAC 
     allowed aviation stakeholders, including airport operators to 
     advise TSA on aviation security policies, programs, 
     rulemakings and security directives pertaining to aviation 
     security. H.R. 1204 would allow the ASAC once again to 
     provide valuable input into TSA's proposed rules, security 
     directives and aviation security programs which help protect 
     airports, airlines and their passengers.
       Again, thank you for your continued support of airport 
     operators and on recognizing the value of having stakeholder 
     input into aviation security programs and TSA regulations. We 
     look forward to working with you on the passage of H.R. 1204.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Deborah McElroy,
                                       Interim President, Airports
                             Council International--North America.

  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further Members to speak on this 
bill and will close once the gentleman from Louisiana closes.
  I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I thank again the chairman of the full 
committee, Mr. McCaul; the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Hudson; 
and the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Thompson, for moving 
this legislation, and thank Mr. Thompson for introducing it.
  I once again urge my colleagues to support this legislation to codify 
the Aviation Security Advisory Committee so stakeholders have a 
permanent seat at the table when TSA develops policies that have a 
direct impact on our security and their operations.
  Simply what it does is guarantees that policies won't be implemented 
solely by people relying on theory, but ensures that the stakeholders 
are at the table to talk about the reality of the policies that they 
implement.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to support the 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bipartisan bill.
  I want to thank Chairman Hudson, ranking member of the full 
committee, Mr. Thompson, and Ranking Member Richmond.
  I am proud to report to this House that this committee has passed 
several bills, all of which have passed unanimously out of our 
committee. I am not sure if there is any committee in Congress that can 
say that. I am very proud of that effort. I hope that we can continue 
in that spirit with more complex legislation that we face in the 
future. I know that with the ranking member and his spirit of 
cooperation we will be able to get it done.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1204, 
``Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 2013.'' Ranking 
Member Thompson's steady and long term work on improving airport 
security is recognized and respected by members on both sides of the 
aisle.
  The Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act, introduced by 
Ranking Member Thompson, establishes in law the critical Aviation 
Security Advisory Committee.
  The bill states that the Security Advisory Committee shall be 
consulted by and advise the Assistant Security on aviation security 
matters, including the development and implementation of policies, 
programs, rulemaking,

[[Page H7418]]

and security directives pertaining to aviation security.
  Since just after 9/11, the Aviation Security Advisory Committee has 
played the critical role of being industry's voice before TSA, helping 
to develop policies that make sense operationally, and more 
importantly, work for the American people.
  When Congress established TSA in the wake of the tragic terrorist 
attack on 9/11, we granted TSA broad latitude to implement policies 
stakeholders are required to comply with and, in some cases, implement.
  The Aviation Security Advisory Committee ensures that the security 
directives TSA develops are not created in a vacuum.
  Establishing the Aviation Security Advisory Committee in law will 
ensure that the Committee never again becomes inactive, as was the case 
during the previous Administration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 1204, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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