[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H824-H830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REFORM AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 
                                  2015

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3584) to authorize, streamline, and identify efficiencies within 
the Transportation Security Administration, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3584

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the 
     ``Transportation Security Administration Reform and 
     Improvement Act of 2015''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; Table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.

                       TITLE I--AVIATION SECURITY

Sec. 101. TSA PreCheck.
Sec. 102. PreCheck and general passenger biometric identification.
Sec. 103. Limitation; PreCheck operations maintained; Alternate 
              methods.
Sec. 104. Secure Flight program.
Sec. 105. Efficiency review by TSA.
Sec. 106. Donation of screening equipment to protect the United States.
Sec. 107. Review of sustained security directives.
Sec. 108. Maintenance of security-related technology.
Sec. 109. Vetting of aviation workers.
Sec. 110. Aviation Security Advisory Committee consultation.
Sec. 111. Private contractor canine evaluation and integration pilot 
              program.
Sec. 112. Covert testing at airports.
Sec. 113. Training for transportation security officers.

      TITLE II--SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY AND OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 201. Surface Transportation Inspectors.
Sec. 202. Inspector General audit; TSA Office of Inspection workforce 
              certification.
Sec. 203. Repeal of biennial reporting requirement for the Government 
              Accountability Office relating to the Transportation 
              Security Information Sharing Plan.
Sec. 204. Security training for frontline transportation workers.
Sec. 205. Feasibility assessment.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Administration; tsa.--The terms ``Administration'' and 
     ``TSA'' mean the Transportation Security Administration.
       (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.
       (3) Intelligence community.--The term ``intelligence 
     community'' has the meaning given such term in section 3(4) 
     of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).
       (4) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of Homeland Security.
       (5) Secure flight.--The term ``Secure Flight'' means the 
     Administration's watchlist matching program.

                       TITLE I--AVIATION SECURITY

     SEC. 101. TSA PRECHECK.

       (a) TSA PreCheck.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--
       (1) ensure that all screening of passengers and their 
     accessible property shall be conducted in a risk-based, 
     intelligence-driven manner with consideration given to the 
     privacy and civil liberties of such passengers; and
       (2) operate a trusted passenger screening program known as 
     ``TSA PreCheck'' that provides expedited screening for low-
     risk passengers and their accessible property based on a 
     comprehensive and continuous analysis of factors specified in 
     subsection (b).
       (b) Factors.--Factors referred to in subsection (a)(2) 
     shall include the following:
       (1) Whether passengers described in such subsection are 
     members of other trusted traveler programs of the Department.
       (2) Whether such passengers are traveling pursuant to 
     subsection (m) of section 44903 of title 49, United States 
     Code (as established under the Risk-Based Security for 
     Members of the Armed Forces Act (Public Law 112-86)), section 
     44927 of such title (as established under the Helping Heroes 
     Fly Act (Public Law 113-27)), or section 44928 of such title 
     (as established under the Honor Flight Act (Public Law 113-
     221)).
       (3) Whether such passengers possess an active security 
     clearance or other credential issued by the Federal 
     Government for which TSA has conducted a written threat 
     assessment and determined that such passengers present a low 
     risk to transportation or national security.
       (4) Whether such passengers are members of a population for 
     whom TSA has conducted a written security threat assessment, 
     determined that such population poses a low risk to 
     transportation or national security, and has issued such 
     passengers a known traveler number.
       (5) The ability of the Administration to verify such 
     passengers' identity and whether such passengers pose a risk 
     to aviation security.
       (6) Threats to transportation or national security as 
     identified by the intelligence community and law enforcement 
     community.
       (c) Enrollment Expansion.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall publish 
     PreCheck application enrollment standards to add multiple 
     private sector application capabilities for the TSA PreCheck 
     program to increase the public's enrollment access to such 
     program, including standards that allow the use of secure 
     technologies, including online enrollment, kiosks, tablets, 
     or staffed computer stations at which individuals can apply 
     for entry into such program.
       (2) Requirements.--Upon publication of the PreCheck program 
     application enrollment standards pursuant to paragraph (1), 
     the Administrator shall--
       (A) coordinate with interested parties to deploy TSA-
     approved ready-to-market private sector solutions that meet 
     the TSA PreCheck application enrollment standards described 
     in paragraph (1), make available additional PreCheck 
     enrollment capabilities, and offer secure online and mobile 
     enrollment opportunities;
       (B) partner with the private sector to collect biographic 
     and biometric identification information via kiosks, mobile 
     devices, or other mobile enrollment platforms to reduce the 
     number of instances in which passengers need to travel to 
     enrollment centers;
       (C) ensure that the kiosks, mobile devices, or other mobile 
     enrollment platforms referred to in subparagraph (E) are 
     secure and not vulnerable to data breaches;
       (D) ensure that any biometric and biographic information is 
     collected in a manner which is comparable with the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology standards and ensures 
     privacy and data security protections, including that 
     applicants' personally identifiable

[[Page H825]]

     information is collected, retained, used, and shared in a 
     manner consistent with section 552a of title 5, United States 
     Code (commonly known as the ``Privacy Act of 1974''), and 
     agency regulations;
       (E) ensure that an individual who wants to enroll in the 
     PreCheck program and has started an application with a single 
     identification verification at one location will be able to 
     save such individual's application on any kiosk, personal 
     computer, mobile device, or other mobile enrollment platform 
     and be able to return within a reasonable time to submit a 
     second identification verification; and
       (F) ensure that any enrollment expansion using a private 
     sector risk assessment instead of a fingerprint-based 
     criminal history records check is determined, by the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, to be equivalent to a 
     fingerprint-based criminal history records check conducted 
     through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
       (3) Marketing of precheck program.--Upon publication of 
     PreCheck program application enrollment standards pursuant to 
     paragraph (1), the Administrator shall--
       (A) in accordance with such standards, develop and 
     implement--
       (i) a process, including an associated timeframe, for 
     approving private sector marketing of the TSA PreCheck 
     program; and
       (ii) a strategy for partnering with the private sector to 
     encourage enrollment in such program; and
       (B) submit to Congress a report on any PreCheck fees 
     collected in excess of the costs of administering such 
     program, including recommendations for using such amounts to 
     support marketing of such program under this subsection.
       (4) Identity verification enhancement.--Not later than 90 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Administrator shall--
       (A) coordinate with the heads of appropriate components of 
     the Department to leverage Department-held data and 
     technologies to verify the citizenship of individuals 
     enrolling in the TSA PreCheck program; and
       (B) partner with the private sector to use advanced 
     biometrics and standards comparable with National Institute 
     of Standards and Technology standards to facilitate 
     enrollment in such program.
       (5) Precheck lane operation.--The Administrator shall--
       (A) ensure that TSA PreCheck screening lanes are open and 
     available during peak and high-volume travel times at 
     airports to individuals enrolled in the PreCheck program; and
       (B) make every practicable effort to provide expedited 
     screening at standard screening lanes during times when 
     PreCheck screening lanes are closed to individuals enrolled 
     in such program in order to maintain operational efficiency.
       (6) Vetting for precheck participants.--Not later than 90 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Administrator shall initiate an assessment of the security 
     vulnerabilities in the vetting process for the PreCheck 
     program that includes an evaluation of whether subjecting 
     PreCheck participants to recurrent fingerprint-based criminal 
     history records checks, in addition to recurrent checks 
     against the terrorist watchlist, could be done in a cost-
     effective manner to strengthen the security of the PreCheck 
     program.

     SEC. 102. PRECHECK AND GENERAL PASSENGER BIOMETRIC 
                   IDENTIFICATION.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall conduct a 
     pilot project to establish a secure, automated, biometric-
     based system at airports to verify the identity of passengers 
     who are members of TSA PreCheck. Such system shall--
       (1) reduce the need for security screening personnel to 
     perform travel document verification for individuals enrolled 
     in TSA PreCheck;
       (2) reduce the average wait time of individuals enrolled in 
     TSA PreCheck;
       (3) reduce overall operating expenses of the 
     Administration;
       (4) be integrated with the Administration's watch list and 
     trusted traveler matching program;
       (5) be integrated with other checkpoint technologies to 
     further facilitate risk-based passenger screening at the 
     checkpoint, to the extent practicable and consistent with 
     security standards; and
       (6) consider capabilities and policies of U.S. Customs and 
     Border Protection's Global Entry Program, as appropriate.
       (b) Establishment of Screening System for Certain 
     Passengers.--Section 44901 of title 49, United States Code is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (c) through (l) as 
     subsections (d) through (m), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(c) Establishment of Screening System for Certain 
     Passengers.--Not later than December 31, 2017, in accordance 
     with the requirements of the Transportation Security 
     Administration Reform and Improvement Act of 2015, the 
     Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration 
     shall establish a secure, automated system at all large hub 
     airports for verifying travel and identity documents of 
     passengers who are not members of the Administration's risk-
     based aviation passenger screening program, known as `TSA 
     PreCheck'. Such system shall--
       ``(1) assess the need for security screening personnel to 
     perform travel document verification for such passengers, 
     thereby assessing the overall number of such screening 
     personnel;
       ``(2) assess the average wait time of such passengers;
       ``(3) assess overall operating expenses of the 
     Administration;
       ``(4) be integrated with the Administration's watch list 
     matching program; and
       ``(5) be integrated with other checkpoint technologies to 
     further facilitate risk-based passenger screening at the 
     checkpoint, to the extent practicable and consistent with 
     security standards.''.

     SEC. 103. LIMITATION; PRECHECK OPERATIONS MAINTAINED; 
                   ALTERNATE METHODS.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (c), the 
     Administrator shall direct that access to expedited airport 
     security screening at an airport security checkpoint be 
     limited to only the following:
       (1) A passenger who voluntarily submits biographic and 
     biometric information for a security risk assessment and 
     whose application for the PreCheck program has been approved, 
     or a passenger who is a participant in another trusted or 
     registered traveler program of the Department.
       (2) A passenger traveling pursuant to section 44903 of 
     title 49, United States Code (as established under the Risk-
     Based Security for Members of the Armed Forces Act (Public 
     Law 112-86)), section 44927 of such title (as established 
     under the Helping Heroes Fly Act (Public Law 113-27)), or 
     section 44928 of such title (as established under the Honor 
     Flight Act (Public Law 113-221)).
       (3) A passenger who did not voluntarily submit biographic 
     and biometric information for a security risk assessment but 
     is a member of a population designated by the Administrator 
     as known and low-risk and who may be issued a unique, known 
     traveler number by the Administrator determining that such 
     passenger is a member of a category of travelers designated 
     by the Administrator as known and low-risk.
       (b) PreCheck Operations Maintained.--In carrying out 
     subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that expedited 
     airport security screening remains available to passengers at 
     or above the level that exists on the day before the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Frequent Fliers.--If the Administrator determines that 
     such is appropriate, the implementation of subsection (a) may 
     be delayed by up to one year with respect to the population 
     of passengers who did not voluntarily submit biographic and 
     biometric information for security risk assessments but who 
     nevertheless receive expedited airport security screening 
     because such passengers are designated as frequent fliers by 
     air carriers. If the Administrator uses the authority 
     provided by this subsection, the Administrator shall notify 
     the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate of such phased-in 
     implementation.
       (d) Alternate Methods.--The Administrator may provide 
     access to expedited airport security screening to additional 
     passengers pursuant to an alternate method upon the 
     submission to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate of an independent assessment 
     of the security effectiveness of such alternate method that 
     is conducted by an independent entity that determines that 
     such alternate method is designed to--
       (1) reliably and effectively identify passengers who likely 
     pose a low risk to the United States aviation system;
       (2) mitigate the likelihood that a passenger who may pose a 
     security threat to the United States aviation system is 
     selected for expedited security screening; and
       (3) address known and evolving security risks to the United 
     States aviation system.
       (e) Information Sharing.--The Administrator shall provide 
     to the entity conducting the independent assessment under 
     subsection (d) effectiveness testing results that are 
     consistent with established evaluation design practices, as 
     identified by the Comptroller General of the United States.
       (f) Reporting.--Not later than three months after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the 
     Administrator shall report to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
     percentage of all passengers who are provided expedited 
     security screening, and of such passengers so provided, the 
     percentage who are participants in the PreCheck program (who 
     have voluntarily submitted biographic and biometric 
     information for security risk assessments), the percentage 
     who are participants in another trusted traveler program of 
     the Department, the percentage who are participants in the 
     PreCheck program due to the Administrator's issuance of known 
     traveler numbers, and for the remaining percentage of 
     passengers granted access to expedited security screening in 
     PreCheck security lanes, information on the percentages 
     attributable to each alternative method utilized by the 
     Administration to direct passengers to expedited airport 
     security screening at PreCheck security lanes.
       (g) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed to--
       (1) authorize or direct the Administrator to reduce or 
     limit the availability of expedited security screening at an 
     airport; or
       (2) limit the authority of the Administrator to use 
     technologies and systems, including passenger screening 
     canines and explosives trace detection, as a part of security 
     screening operations.

     SEC. 104. SECURE FLIGHT PROGRAM.

       Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Administrator shall--
       (1) develop a process for regularly evaluating the root 
     causes of screening errors at checkpoints across airports so 
     that corrective measures are able to be identified;
       (2) implement such corrective measures to address the root 
     causes of such screening errors occurring at the checkpoint;

[[Page H826]]

       (3) develop additional measures to address key performance 
     aspects related to the Secure Flight program goals and ensure 
     that such measures clearly identify activities necessary to 
     achieve progress towards such goals;
       (4) develop a mechanism to systematically document the 
     number and causes of Secure Flight program matching errors 
     for the purpose of improving program performance and provide 
     program managers with timely and reliable information;
       (5) provide job-specific privacy refresher training for 
     Secure Flight program staff to further protect personally 
     identifiable information in the Secure Flight system program; 
     and
       (6) develop a mechanism to comprehensively document and 
     track key Secure Flight program privacy issues and decisions 
     to ensure the Secure Flight program has complete information 
     for effective oversight of its privacy controls.

     SEC. 105. EFFICIENCY REVIEW BY TSA.

       (a) Review Required.--Not later than 270 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
     conduct and complete a comprehensive, agency-wide efficiency 
     review of the Administration to identify spending reductions 
     and administrative savings through the streamlining and any 
     necessary restructuring of agency divisions to make the 
     Administration more efficient. In carrying out the review 
     under this section, the Administrator shall consider each of 
     the following:
       (1) The elimination of any duplicative or overlapping 
     programs and initiatives that can be streamlined.
       (2) The elimination of any unnecessary or obsolete rules, 
     regulations, directives, or procedures.
       (3) Any other matters the Administrator determines are 
     appropriate.
       (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 30 days after the 
     completion of the efficiency review required under subsection 
     (a), the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate a report that specifies the results and cost savings 
     expected to be achieved through such efficiency review. Such 
     report shall also include information relating to how the 
     Administration may use efficiencies identified through such 
     efficiency review to provide funding to reimburse airports 
     that incurred eligible costs for in-line baggage screening 
     systems.

     SEC. 106. DONATION OF SCREENING EQUIPMENT TO PROTECT THE 
                   UNITED STATES.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator is authorized to donate 
     security screening equipment to a foreign last-point-of-
     departure airport operator if such equipment can be 
     reasonably expected to mitigate a specific vulnerability to 
     the security of the United States or United States citizens.
       (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 30 days before any 
     donation of equipment under this section, the Administrator 
     shall provide to the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
     detailed written explanation of--
       (1) the specific vulnerability to the United States that 
     will be mitigated with such donation;
       (2) an explanation as to why the recipient is unable or 
     unwilling to purchase equipment to mitigate such threat;
       (3) an evacuation plan for sensitive technologies in case 
     of emergency or instability in the country to which such 
     donation is being made;
       (4) how the Administration will ensure the equipment that 
     is being donated is used and maintained over the course of 
     its life by the recipient; and
       (5) the total dollar value of such donation.

     SEC. 107. REVIEW OF SUSTAINED SECURITY DIRECTIVES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, for any 
     security directive that has been in effect for longer than 
     one year, the Administrator shall review the necessity of 
     such directives, from a risk-based perspective.
       (b) Briefing to Congress.--Upon completion of each review 
     pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator shall brief the 
     Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate on--
       (1) any changes being made to existing security directives 
     as a result of each such review;
       (2) the specific threat that is being mitigated by any such 
     directive that will remain in effect; and
       (3) the planned disposition of any such directive.

     SEC. 108. MAINTENANCE OF SECURITY-RELATED TECHNOLOGY.

       (a) In General.--Title XVI of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 561 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

        ``Subtitle C--Maintenance of Security-Related Technology

     ``SEC. 1621. MAINTENANCE VALIDATION AND OVERSIGHT.

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this subtitle, the Administrator shall 
     develop and implement a preventive maintenance validation 
     process for security-related technology deployed to airports.
       ``(b) Maintenance by Administration Personnel at 
     Airports.--For maintenance to be carried out by 
     Administration personnel at airports, the process referred to 
     in subsection (a) shall include the following:
       ``(1) Guidance to Administration personnel, equipment 
     maintenance technicians, and other personnel at airports 
     specifying how to conduct and document preventive maintenance 
     actions.
       ``(2) Mechanisms for the Administrator to verify compliance 
     with the guidance issued pursuant to paragraph (1).
       ``(c) Maintenance by Contractors at Airports.--For 
     maintenance to be carried out by a contractor at airports, 
     the process referred to in subsection (a) shall require the 
     following:
       ``(1) Provision of monthly preventive maintenance schedules 
     to appropriate Administration personnel at each airport that 
     includes information on each action to be completed by a 
     contractor.
       ``(2) Notification to appropriate Administration personnel 
     at each airport when maintenance action is completed by a 
     contractor.
       ``(3) A process for independent validation by a third party 
     of contractor maintenance.
       ``(d) Penalties for Noncompliance.--The Administrator shall 
     require maintenance contracts for security-related technology 
     deployed to airports to include penalties for noncompliance 
     when it is determined that either preventive or corrective 
     maintenance has not been completed according to contractual 
     requirements and manufacturers' specifications.''.
       (b) Inspector General Assessment.--Not later than one year 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Homeland Security shall assess 
     implementation of the requirements under section 1621 of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (as added by subsection (a) of 
     this section), and provide findings and recommendations with 
     respect to the provision of training to Administration 
     personnel, equipment maintenance technicians, and other 
     personnel under such section 1621 and the availability and 
     utilization of equipment maintenance technicians employed by 
     the Administration.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 1616 the following:

        ``Subtitle C--Maintenance of Security-Related Technology

``Sec. 1621. Maintenance validation and oversight.''.

     SEC. 109. VETTING OF AVIATION WORKERS.

       (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title XVI of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 561 et seq.) is amended by 
     adding after section 1601 the following new section:

     ``SEC. 1602. VETTING OF AVIATION WORKERS.

       ``(a) In General.--By not later than December 31, 2015, the 
     Administrator, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary 
     for Policy of the Department, shall request from the Director 
     of National Intelligence access to additional data from the 
     Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment (TIDE) data and any 
     or other terrorism-related information to improve the 
     effectiveness of the Administration's credential vetting 
     program for individuals with unescorted access to sensitive 
     areas of airports.
       ``(b) Security Inspection.--By not later than December 31, 
     2015, the Administrator shall issue guidance for 
     Transportation Security Inspectors to annually review airport 
     badging office procedures for applicants seeking access to 
     sensitive areas of airports. Such guidance shall include a 
     comprehensive review of applicants' Criminal History Records 
     Check (CHRC) and work authorization documentation during the 
     course of an inspection.
       ``(c) Information Sharing.--By not later than December 31, 
     2015, the Administrator may conduct a pilot program of the 
     Rap Back Service, in coordination with the Director of the 
     Federal Bureau of Investigation, to determine the feasibility 
     of full implementation of a service through which the 
     Administrator would be notified of a change in status of an 
     individual holding a valid credential granting unescorted 
     access to sensitive areas of airports across eligible 
     Administration-regulated populations.
       ``(d) Procedures.--The pilot program under subsection (c) 
     shall evaluate whether information can be narrowly tailored 
     to ensure that the Administrator only receives notification 
     of a change with respect to a disqualifying offense under the 
     credential vetting program under subsection (a), as specified 
     in 49 CFR 1542.209, and in a manner that complies with 
     current regulations for fingerprint-based criminal history 
     records checks. The pilot program shall be carried out in a 
     manner so as to ensure that, in the event that notification 
     is made through the Rap Back Service of a change but a 
     determination of arrest status or conviction is in question, 
     the matter will be handled in a manner that is consistent 
     with current regulations. The pilot program shall also be 
     carried out in a manner that is consistent with current 
     regulations governing an investigation of arrest status, 
     correction of Federal Bureau of Investigation records and 
     notification of disqualification, and corrective action by 
     the individual who is the subject of an inquiry.
       ``(e) Determination and Submission.--If the Administrator 
     determines that full implementation of the Rap Back Service 
     is feasible and can be carried out in a manner that is 
     consistent with current regulations for fingerprint-based 
     criminal history checks, including the rights of individuals 
     seeking credentials, the Administrator shall submit such 
     determination, in writing, to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 
     together with information on the costs associated with such 
     implementation, including the costs incurred by the private 
     sector. In preparing this determination, the Administrator 
     shall consult with the Chief Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 
     Officer of the Department to ensure that protocols are in

[[Page H827]]

     place to align the period of retention of personally 
     identifiable information and biometric information, including 
     fingerprints, in the Rap Back Service with the period in 
     which the individual who is the subject of an inquiry has a 
     valid credential.
       ``(f) Credential Security.--By not later than September 30, 
     2015, the Administrator shall issue guidance to airports 
     mandating that all federalized airport badging authorities 
     place an expiration date on airport credentials commensurate 
     with the period of time during which an individual is 
     lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
       ``(g) Aviation Worker Lawful Status.--By not later than 
     December 31, 2015, the Administrator shall review the denial 
     of credentials due to issues associated with determining an 
     applicant's lawful status in order to identify airports with 
     specific weaknesses and shall coordinate with such airports 
     to mutually address such weaknesses, as appropriate.
       ``(h) Reports to Congress.--Upon completion of the 
     determinations and reviews required under this section, the 
     Administrator shall brief the Committee on Homeland Security 
     and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
     results of such determinations and reviews.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 1601 the following new item:

``Sec. 1602. Vetting of aviation workers.''.

       (c) Status Update on Rap Back Service Pilot Program.--Not 
     later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security 
     Administration shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 
     report on the status of plans to conduct a pilot program in 
     coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the 
     Rap Back Service in accordance with subsection (c) of section 
     1602 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by 
     subsection (a) of this section. The report shall include 
     details on the business, technical, and resource requirements 
     for the Transportation Security Administration and pilot 
     program participants, and provide a timeline and goals for 
     the pilot program.

     SEC. 110. AVIATION SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSULTATION.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator shall consult, to the 
     extent practicable, with the Aviation Security Advisory 
     Committee (established pursuant to section 44946 of title 49 
     of the United States Code) regarding any modification to the 
     prohibited item list prior to issuing a determination about 
     any such modification.
       (b) Report on the Transportation Security Oversight 
     Board.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
     shall submit to the Transportation Security Oversight Board 
     (established pursuant to section 115 of title 49, United 
     States Code), the Committee on Homeland Security of the House 
     of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security 
     and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that 
     includes general information on how often the Board has met, 
     the current composition of the Board, and what activities the 
     Board has undertaken, consistent with the duties specified in 
     subsection (c) of such section. The Secretary may include in 
     such report recommendations for changes to such section in 
     consideration of the provisions of section 44946 of title 49, 
     United States Code.
       (c) Technical Correction.--Subparagraph (A) of section 
     44946(c)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(A) Terms.--The term of each member of the Advisory 
     Committee shall be two years but may continue until such time 
     as a successor member begins serving on the Advisory 
     Committee. A member of the Advisory Committee may be 
     reappointed.''.
       (d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``prohibited 
     item list'' means the list of items passengers are prohibited 
     from carrying as accessible property or on their persons 
     through passenger screening checkpoints at airports, into 
     sterile areas at airports, and on board passenger aircraft, 
     pursuant to section 1540.111 of title 49, Code of Federal 
     Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2015).

     SEC. 111. PRIVATE CONTRACTOR CANINE EVALUATION AND 
                   INTEGRATION PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish 
     a pilot program to evaluate the use, effectiveness, and 
     integration of privately-operated explosives detection canine 
     teams using both the passenger screening canine and 
     traditional explosives detection canine methods.
       (b) Elements.--The pilot program under subsection (a) shall 
     include the following elements:
       (1) A full-time presence in three Category X, two Category 
     I, and one Category II airports.
       (2) A duration of at least twelve months from the time 
     private contractor teams are operating at full capacity.
       (3) A methodology for evaluating how to integrate private 
     contractor teams into the checkpoint area to detect explosive 
     devices missed by mechanical or human error at other points 
     in the screening process.
       (4) Covert testing with inert improvised explosive devices 
     and accurately recreated explosives odor traces to determine 
     the relative effectiveness of a full-time canine team in 
     strengthening checkpoint security.
       (c) Quarterly Updates.--The Administrator shall submit to 
     the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate written updates on the 
     procurement, deployment, and evaluation process related to 
     the implementation of the pilot program under subsection (a) 
     for every calendar quarter after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (d) Final Report.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     completion of the pilot program under subsection (a), the 
     Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a 
     final report on such pilot program.
       (e) Funding.--Out of funds made available to the Office of 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security, $6,000,000 is authorized 
     to be used to carry out this section.

     SEC. 112. COVERT TESTING AT AIRPORTS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter through 
     2020, the Administrator shall conduct covert testing on an 
     on-going basis to test vulnerabilities and identify 
     weaknesses in the measures used to secure the aviation system 
     of the United States. The Administrator shall, on a quarterly 
     basis if practicable, provide to the Inspector General of the 
     Department such testing results, methodology, and data.
       (b) Elements.--In carrying out the covert testing required 
     under subsection (a), the Administrator shall--
       (1) consider security screening and procedures conducted by 
     TSA;
       (2) use available threat information and intelligence to 
     determine the types and sizes of simulated threat items and 
     threat item-body location configurations for such covert 
     testing;
       (3) use a risk-based approach to determine the location and 
     number of such covert testing;
       (4) conduct such covert testing without notifying personnel 
     at airports prior to such covert testing; and
       (5) identify reasons for failure when TSA personnel or the 
     screening equipment used do not identify and resolve any 
     threat item used during such a covert test.
       (c) Independent Review.--The Inspector General of the 
     Department shall conduct covert testing of the aviation 
     system of the United States in addition to the covert testing 
     conducted by the Administrator under subsection (a), as 
     appropriate, and analyze TSA covert testing results, 
     methodology, and data provided pursuant to such subsection to 
     determine the sufficiency of TSA covert testing protocols. 
     The Inspector General shall, as appropriate, compare testing 
     results of any additional covert testing conducted pursuant 
     to this subsection with the results of TSA covert testing 
     under subsection (a) to determine systemic weaknesses in the 
     security of the aviation system of the United States.
       (d) Corrective Action.--Not later than 30 days upon 
     completion of any covert testing under subsection (a), the 
     Administrator shall make recommendations and implement 
     corrective actions to mitigate vulnerabilities identified by 
     such covert testing and shall notify the Inspector General of 
     the Department of such recommendations and actions. The 
     Inspector General shall review the extent to which such 
     recommendations and actions are implemented and the degree to 
     which such recommendations and actions improve the security 
     of the aviation system of the United States.
       (e) Congressional Notification.--
       (1) By the administrator.--Not later than 30 days upon 
     completion of any covert testing under subsection (a), the 
     Administrator shall brief the Committee on Homeland Security 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
     results of such covert testing.
       (2) By the inspector general of the department.--The 
     Inspector General shall brief the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
     annually on the requirements specified in this section.
       (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed to prohibit the Administrator or the Inspector 
     General of the Department from conducting covert testing of 
     the aviation system of the United States with greater 
     frequency than required under this section.

     SEC. 113. TRAINING FOR TRANSPORTATION SECURITY OFFICERS.

       The Administrator shall, on a periodic basis, brief the 
     Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate on the status of efforts to 
     enhance initial and recurrent training of Transportation 
     Security Officers.

      TITLE II--SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY AND OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 201. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION INSPECTORS.

       (a) In General.--Section 1304(d) of the Implementing 
     Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 
     1113; Public Law 110-53) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``surface'' after ``relevant''; and
       (2) by striking ``, as determined appropriate''.
       (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than one year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
     the United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives and the

[[Page H828]]

     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate a report on the efficiency and effectiveness of the 
     Administration's Surface Transportation Security Inspectors 
     Program under subsection (d) of section 1304 of the 
     Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 
     2007 (6 U.S.C. 1113; Public Law 110-53).
       (c) Contents.--The report required under subsection (b) 
     shall include a review of the following:
       (1) The roles and responsibilities of surface 
     transportation security inspectors.
       (2) The extent to which the TSA has used a risk-based, 
     strategic approach to determine the appropriate number of 
     surface transportation security inspectors and resource 
     allocation across field offices.
       (3) Whether TSA's surface transportation regulations are 
     risk-based and whether surface transportation security 
     inspectors have adequate experience and training to perform 
     their day-to-day responsibilities.
       (4) Feedback from regulated surface transportation industry 
     stakeholders on the benefit of surface transportation 
     security inspectors to the overall security of the surface 
     transportation systems of such stakeholders and the 
     consistency of regulatory enforcement.
       (5) Whether surface transportation security inspectors have 
     appropriate qualifications to help secure and inspect surface 
     transportation systems.
       (6) Whether TSA measures the effectiveness of surface 
     transportation security inspectors.
       (7) Any overlap between the TSA and the Department of 
     Transportation as such relates to surface transportation 
     security inspectors in accordance with section 1310 of the 
     Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 
     2007 (6 U.S.C. 1117; Public Law 110-53).
       (8) The extent to which surface transportation security 
     inspectors review and enhance information security practices 
     and enforce applicable information security regulations and 
     directives.
       (9) Any recommendations relating to the efficiency and 
     effectiveness of the TSA's surface transportation security 
     inspectors program.

     SEC. 202. INSPECTOR GENERAL AUDIT; TSA OFFICE OF INSPECTION 
                   WORKFORCE CERTIFICATION.

       (a) Inspector General Audit.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the 
     Department shall analyze the data and methods that the 
     Administrator uses to identify Office of Inspection employees 
     of the Administration who meet the requirements of sections 
     8331(20), 8401(17), and 5545a of title 5, United States Code, 
     and provide the relevant findings to the Administrator, 
     including a finding on whether such data and methods are 
     adequate and valid.
       (2) Prohibition on hiring.--If the Inspector General of the 
     Department finds that the data and methods referred to in 
     paragraph (1) are inadequate or invalid, the Administrator 
     may not hire any new employee to work in the Office of 
     Inspection of the Administration until--
       (A) the Administrator makes a certification described in 
     subsection (b)(1) to the Committee on Homeland Security of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
       (B) the Inspector General submits to such Committees a 
     finding, not later than 30 days after the Administrator makes 
     such certification, that the Administrator utilized adequate 
     and valid data and methods to make such certification.
       (b) TSA Office of Inspection Workforce Certification.--
       (1) In general.--The Administrator shall, by not later than 
     90 days after the date the Inspector General of the 
     Department provides its findings to the Assistant Secretary 
     under subsection (a)(1), document and certify in writing to 
     the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate that only those Office of 
     Inspection employees of the Administration who meet the 
     requirements of sections 8331(20), 8401(17), and 5545a of 
     title 5, United States Code, are classified as criminal 
     investigators and are receiving premium pay and other 
     benefits associated with such classification.
       (2) Employee reclassification.--The Administrator shall 
     reclassify criminal investigator positions in the Office of 
     Inspection of the Administration as noncriminal investigator 
     positions or non-law enforcement positions if the individuals 
     in such positions do not, or are not expected to, spend an 
     average of at least 50 percent of their time performing 
     criminal investigative duties.
       (3) Projected cost savings.--
       (A) In general.--The Administrator shall estimate the total 
     long-term cost savings to the Federal Government resulting 
     from the implementation of paragraph (2), and provide such 
     estimate to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate by not later than 180 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (B) Contents.--The estimate described in subparagraph (A) 
     shall identify savings associated with the positions 
     reclassified under paragraph (2) and include, among other 
     factors the Administrator considers appropriate, savings 
     from--
       (i) law enforcement training;
       (ii) early retirement benefits;
       (iii) law enforcement availability and other premium pay; 
     and
       (iv) weapons, vehicles, and communications devices.
       (c) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date that the 
     Administrator submits the certification under subsection 
     (b)(1), the Inspector General of the Department shall submit 
     to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate a study--
       (1) reviewing the employee requirements, responsibilities, 
     and benefits of criminal investigators in the Office of 
     Inspection of the Administration with criminal investigators 
     employed at agencies adhering to the Office of Personnel 
     Management employee classification system; and
       (2) identifying any inconsistencies and costs implications 
     for differences between the varying employee requirements, 
     responsibilities, and benefits.

     SEC. 203. REPEAL OF BIENNIAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR THE 
                   GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE RELATING TO 
                   THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY INFORMATION SHARING 
                   PLAN.

       Subsection (u) of section 114 of title 49, United States 
     Code, is amended by--
       (1) striking paragraph (7); and
       (2) redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs (7) 
     and (8), respectively.

     SEC. 204. SECURITY TRAINING FOR FRONTLINE TRANSPORTATION 
                   WORKERS.

       Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     the Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate a report regarding the status of the implementation of 
     sections 1408 (6 U.S.C. 1137) and 1534 (6 U.S.C. 1184) of the 
     Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 
     2007 (Public Law 110-53). The Administrator shall include in 
     such report specific information on the challenges that the 
     Administrator has encountered since the date of the enactment 
     of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission 
     Act of 2007 with respect to establishing regulations 
     requiring the provision of basic security training to public 
     transportation frontline employees and over-the-road bus 
     frontline employees for preparedness for potential security 
     threats and conditions.

     SEC. 205. FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT.

       Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate a feasibility assessment of partnering with an 
     independent, not-for-profit organization to help provide 
     venture capital to businesses, particularly small businesses, 
     for commercialization of innovative homeland security 
     technologies that are expected to be ready for 
     commercialization in the near term and within 36 months. In 
     conducting such feasibility assessment, the Administrator 
     shall consider the following:
       (1) Establishing an independent, not-for-profit 
     organization, modeled after the In-Q-tel program, a venture 
     capital partnership between the private sector and the 
     intelligence community (as such term is defined in section 
     3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 
     3003(4)), to help businesses, particularly small businesses, 
     commercialize innovative security-related technologies.
       (2) Enhanced engagement, either through the Science and 
     Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security 
     or directly, with the In-Q-tel program described in paragraph 
     (1).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Katko) and the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson 
Coleman) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KATKO. 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 materials 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. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3584, the 
Transportation Security Administration Reform and Improvement Act.
  This critical bipartisan piece of legislation ensures several 
congressional oversight priorities for the Transportation Security 
Administration are addressed, including the authorization of the 
PreCheck program, the advancement of risk-based security initiatives, 
the enhancement of aviation worker vetting, and the improvement of 
airport screening technologies.
  H.R. 3584 also takes numerous steps toward augmenting the 
effectiveness and efficiency of various TSA security programs within 
both the surface and aviation transportation sectors, and it requires 
the administrator to conduct an efficiency review of the entire agency.

[[Page H829]]

  Since assuming the chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Transportation 
Security at the beginning of this Congress, I have worked tirelessly 
with my colleagues to conduct rigorous oversight of this troubled 
agency. This bill is a direct result of our bipartisan efforts, and I 
am pleased to stand before you and have the House consider this 
important legislation.
  If signed into law, this legislation will make a direct impact on the 
safety and security of the traveling public and America's 
transportation systems. In an era of pronounced and evolving threats to 
the homeland, Congress must not wait to act in the best interests of 
transportation security.
  Further, the often misdirected nature of the TSA requires that we, as 
legislators and overseers, fulfill our obligation to reform this 
fledgling agency into an intelligence-driven organization.
  When I came to Congress, I pledged to my constituents that I would 
work hard to deliver results. I am proud of all the work the Committee 
on Homeland Security has done over the past year. I am honored to have 
the privilege to sponsor so many pieces of legislation that are helping 
to keep our country safe.
  I would like to thank Ranking Member Rice and Ranking Member Thompson 
for their time and attention to this important piece of legislation. I 
would also like to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), the 
chairman of the full committee, for his continued support of the 
subcommittee's oversight efforts and for ensuring important pieces of 
legislation, such as H.R. 3584, are considered on the House floor.
  The Committee on Homeland Security's legislative results under the 
leadership of Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson are proof 
that, by working together in a bipartisan fashion, not only can we 
improve the security of our country, but we can demonstrate to the 
American people that Congress can actually work together and deliver 
results.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume, and I rise in support of H.R. 3584, the Transportation 
Security Administration Reform and Improvement Act of 2015.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that H.R. 3584 includes language authored 
by Ranking Member Bennie Thompson to direct TSA to move away from how 
it identifies low-risk passengers for expedited airport screening.
  In recent years, both the Department of Homeland Security's inspector 
general and the comptroller general have been very critical about the 
security risks of the so-called managed inclusion process. In response, 
Ranking Member Thompson introduced the Securing Expedited Screening 
Act, which was included in this measure.
  We all have an interest in TSA effectively managing airport 
screening. Ensuring that a robust known-traveler program for low-risk 
travelers is built into TSA's concept of screening operations just 
makes sense.
  That is why I support the expansion of the PreCheck program, under 
which expedited screening is provided to travelers who have been fully 
vetted prior to arriving at the airport.
  I am pleased that H.R. 3584 includes provisions to expand the 
public's enrollment in the PreCheck program by, among other things, 
coordinating with the private sector to deploy TSA-approved online and 
mobile enrollment centers.
  Another key to the effective management of airport screening is the 
maintenance of the security equipment. I am pleased that H.R. 3584 
includes language authored by Representative Rice, the ranking member 
of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, to ensure that TSA puts 
in place systems to ensure that when it comes to security-related 
technologies at our Nation's airports, timely maintenance is done and 
documented.
  According to the DHS inspector general, without proper maintenance 
and documentation thereof, the TSA could possibly have to resort to 
using alternate screening methods, which could lead to the traveling 
public being less safe.
  H.R. 3584 also includes language adopted in the full committee to 
help businesses, particularly small businesses, to be able to create 
innovative security technologies through public-private partnerships.

                              {time}  1615

  Over the years, we have seen the limitations of various security 
technologies in use at our airports. It is crucial that innovators 
continue to push the envelope in terms of detection and mitigation 
capabilities.
  Finally, as the Representative of a jurisdiction that relies heavily 
on mass transit, I am pleased that the bill seeks to ensure that 
frontline workers in our transportation sectors have the training 
needed to react in worst-case scenarios. The thwarted terrorist attack 
on a train traveling from Amsterdam to Paris last year underscores that 
mass transit continues to be a terrorist target.
  Mr. Speaker, these are only a few of the examples of provisions 
within this bill that will help to improve TSA operations and bolster 
the security of the American people. I urge support for this measure.
  I want to close by noting the bipartisan work that went into this 
legislation. There is still much to be done in the transportation 
security space, but the legislation before us represents a step in the 
right direction to address issues within the surface and aviation 
transportation sectors.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the issues addressed in H.R. 3584 are of vital concern 
to the safety of our Nation's security, and it is imperative that we 
send this bill to the Senate today. Congress cannot afford to wait to 
address critical issues that help advance and improve our security. I 
urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on H.R. 3584, the 
Transportation Security Administration Reform and Improvement Act, 
which would authorize, streamline, and identify efficiencies within the 
Transportation Security Administration.
  As a Senior Member of the Homeland Security Committee, I served as 
chair of this subcommittee and continue to support its work to improve 
transportation security.
  I currently serve as the Ranking Member on the House Judiciary 
Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and 
Investigations.
  The work of the TSA is a front line Department of Homeland Security 
and it is not easy--it can in fact be very dangerous.
  Like many of my Colleagues, I recall the shooting incident at LAX 
last year that killed Gerardo Hernandez, who became the first TSA 
officer killed in the line of duty; and the machete attack at the Louis 
Armstrong New Orleans International Airport earlier this year that 
resulted in injuries to Senior Transportation Security Officer Carol 
Richel.
  Each day, TSA processes an average of 1.7 million passengers at more 
than 450 airports across the nation.
  In 2012, TSA screened 637,582,122 passengers.
  The Bush Intercontinental and the William P. Hobby Airports are 
essential hubs for domestic and international air travel for Houston 
and the region:
  Nearly 40 million passengers traveled through Bush Intercontinental 
Airport (IAH) and an additional 10 million traveled through William P. 
Hobby (HOU).
  More than 650 daily departures occur at IAH.
  IAH is the 11th busiest airport in the U.S. for total passenger 
traffic.
  IAH has 12 all-cargo airlines handling more than 419,205 metric tons 
of cargo in 2012.
  I believe that Congress has not done all that it could to make 
employees' work easier--Sequestration, a government shutdown, and a 
delay in fully funding the Department of Homeland Security was not in 
the security interest of the nation.
  Reports issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and 
Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (OIG) have 
identified shortcomings within the Agency, raising questions how 
effectively TSA is fulfilling its mission.
  Allegations about mismanagement, wasteful procedures, retaliation 
against whistleblowers, low morale, and security gaps within the Agency 
are causes for concern.
  Other issues related to inconsistent requirements between what is 
written and what employees are told is essential for them to 
successfully meet the agency's standards for good performance needs 
work.

[[Page H830]]

  The need for attention to TSA administrative procedures and due 
process within the agency to backstop decisions regarding reprimands or 
negative actions toward employees can be an essential step in 
addressing some morale issues that are related to uncertainty regarding 
the successful performance of duties.
  In other words, the same conduct by persons holding the same level of 
responsibility or positions within an airport results in the same 
positive or negative outcome.
  TSA is charged with: The protection of America's transportation 
systems; monitoring the movement of people and supplies during their 
use of our transportation systems; and ensuring the effectiveness and 
integrity of government agencies.
  H.R. 3584, directs the TSA to: ensure that all screening of 
passengers and their accessible property will be done in a risk-based, 
intelligence-driven manner with consideration given to the privacy and 
civil liberties of such passengers; and operate the ``TSA PreCheck'' 
program in a manner that provides expedited screening for low-risk 
passengers and their accessible property based on a comprehensive and 
continuous analysis of factors.
  More needs to be done to support the men and women working on the 
front lines of our nation's domestic security and that includes those 
who work at the TSA.
  I will continue to seek out opportunities to promote the mission of 
the TSA and role that TSA professionals fill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3584, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________