[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 115 (Friday, July 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            FAA EXTENSION, SAFETY, AND SECURITY ACT OF 2016

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 11, 2016

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the FAA Extension, 
Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (H. Res. 818). I remain frustrated by 
Congress' inability to pass a long-term extension of FAA authority and 
I am concerned with some of the language included within this 
reauthorization. However, these reservations do not justify opposition 
to the bill and I therefore support its passage. Without this 
extension, current FAA authority would expire on July 15, causing major 
side effects that would cripple our economy.
  I commend Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio as well as the 
entire Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for putting aside 
differences and negotiating this FAA extension. This legislation 
addresses some of the many issues that face our airline industry. 
Specifically, I am pleased by the inclusion of language that 
streamlines the hiring process of air-traffic controllers. 
Representatives from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association 
(NATCA) have been urging Congress to help solve the 27-year low in the 
air-traffic controller workforce and I am confident that this provision 
will help address this massive backlog. The reauthorization also 
directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to expand the 
PreCheck program as well as optimize the staffing allocation model--
both vital steps in helping reduce wait times while also enhancing 
security precautions. Furthermore, the extension requires training for 
flight attendants to help recognize and respond to potential victims of 
human trafficking, an issue that affects millions of people across the 
world and cannot be ignored.
  Although the extension helps address many important issues facing air 
travel, I am concerned with some of the language included in the 
reauthorization. Of particular concern is language in Section 3405 
which directs the TSA to change regulations pertaining to vetting 
standards for aviation workers with access to secure and sterile areas 
of airports. In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Brussels and 
Istanbul, I understand the concerns that Members may have with 
tightening security in and around airports; however, this screening 
expansion will unfairly affect airline workers and Homeland Security 
experts have yet to provide credible evidence that this will actually 
help mitigate terrorist activity. The provision not only extends the 
background check period from ten years to fifteen years, but it also 
expands the list of ``disqualifying offenses'' for Security 
Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge holders, potentially causing 
many longtime, responsible airline workers to lose their job.
  Although I support the passage of this reauthorization, I must voice 
my disappointment in the Leadership's inability to advance a long-term 
solution that the various stakeholders within air travel can depend on. 
Mr. Speaker, we must take the time between now and September, 2017 when 
this reauthorization expires to put aside partisan differences and 
produce a long-term extension that our airline industry so desperately 
needs. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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