[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SECURING EXPEDITED SCREENING ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 27, 2015

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland 
Security Committee, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2127, the 
``Securing Expedited Screening Act.''
  I support this bipartisan legislation because it addresses a major 
issue with the implementation of security measures and the impact of 
those measures on the traveling public while in our nation's airports.
  I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Bennie Thompson of 
Mississippi for introducing this thoughtful and necessary legislation 
that will assist the Transportation Security Administration and the 
public.
  The ``Securing Expedited Screening Act'' will allow the 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to expedite security 
screening of passengers who participate in this program and allow the 
security agency to focus its resources on screening individuals who may 
need more extensive screening.
  This legislation limits the categories of airline passengers who may 
receive expedited airport screening by the TSA, allowing such screening 
only for passengers who are members of a TSA trusted traveler program 
such as PreCheck.
  This legislation will also include individuals who are a part of the 
United States Military.
  The TSA may also provide expedited screenings to passengers who are 
75 years of age or older; or 12 years of age and younger if their 
parent or guardian is a participant in the PreCheck program.
  This legislation also allows for the TSA to have the freedom to 
determine if there is another group of individuals who may be included 
in the PreCheck program.
  Though the TSA must allow for Congress to provide an individual 
assessment to include new groups into the program.
  Trusted programs like PreCheck that allow for the TSA officers to 
remain vigilant of potential threats.
  With the recent news of the low pass rate of the TSA in the news, 
this legislation assists those officers in focusing on those 
individuals who were not prechecked before they attempt to enter the 
airport terminals.
  Mr. Speaker, this is why I join with my colleagues in working to 
strengthen the programs that assist the TSA in protecting our 
commercial airports throughout this country.
  I urge all of colleagues in the House to support H.R. 2127 ``Securing 
Expedited Screening Act.''

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