[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3686-H3688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRANSPORTATION SECURITY TRANSPARENCY IMPROVEMENT ACT

  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1871) to improve the understanding and clarity of 
Transportation Security Administration policies, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1871

       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 ``Transportation Security 
     Transparency Improvement Act''.

     SEC. 2. SENSITIVE SECURITY INFORMATION; INTERNATIONAL 
                   AVIATION SECURITY.

       (a)Sensitive Security Information.--
       (1)In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
     Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shall--

[[Page H3687]]

       (A) ensure clear and consistent designation of ``Sensitive 
     Security Information'', including reasonable security 
     justifications for such designation;
       (B) develop and implement a schedule to regularly review 
     and update, as necessary, TSA Sensitive Security Information 
     Identification guidelines;
       (C) develop a tracking mechanism for all Sensitive Security 
     Information redaction and designation challenges;
       (D) document justifications for changes in position 
     regarding Sensitive Security Information redactions and 
     designations, and make such changes accessible to TSA 
     personnel for use with relevant stakeholders, including air 
     carriers, airport operators, surface transportation 
     operators, and State and local law enforcement, as necessary; 
     and
       (E) ensure that TSA personnel are adequately trained on 
     appropriate designation policies.
       (2)Stakeholder outreach.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
     Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shall conduct 
     outreach to relevant stakeholders described in paragraph 
     (1)(D) that regularly are granted access to Sensitive 
     Security Information to raise awareness of the TSA's policies 
     and guidelines governing the designation and use of Sensitive 
     Security Information.
       (b)International Aviation Security.--
       (1)In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
     Transportation Security Administration shall develop and 
     implement guidelines with respect to last point of departure 
     airports to--
       (A) ensure the inclusion, as appropriate, of air carriers 
     and other transportation security stakeholders in the 
     development and implementation of security directives and 
     emergency amendments;
       (B) document input provided by air carriers and other 
     transportation security stakeholders during the security 
     directive and emergency amendment, development, and 
     implementation processes;
       (C) define a process, including time frames, and with the 
     inclusion of feedback from air carriers and other 
     transportation security stakeholders, for cancelling or 
     incorporating security directives and emergency amendments 
     into security programs;
       (D) conduct engagement with foreign partners on the 
     implementation of security directives and emergency 
     amendments, as appropriate, including recognition if existing 
     security measures at a last point of departure airport are 
     found to provide commensurate security as intended by 
     potential new security directives and emergency amendments; 
     and
       (E) ensure that new security directives and emergency 
     amendments are focused on defined security outcomes.
       (2)Briefing to congress.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
     Transportation Security Administration shall brief the 
     Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate on the guidelines described in 
     paragraph (1).
       (3)Decisions not subject to judicial review.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any action of the 
     Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration 
     under paragraph (1) is not subject to judicial review.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Barragan) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.

                              {time}  1245


                             General Leave

  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1871, the 
Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act. This bipartisan 
legislation, as introduced by my colleague from North Carolina (Mr. 
Bishop), will ensure consistent standards and improve procedures for 
designating sensitive security information at TSA.
  Sensitive security information, known as SSI, is information that if 
publicly released would be detrimental to transportation security. Just 
like with classified information, those who are granted access to SSI 
have a special obligation to safeguard it and face penalties if they 
fail to do so. Given these stakes, it is important that TSA apply 
consistent standards when designating SSI. This bill will not only 
require TSA to maintain those clear standards, but also develop a 
schedule to regularly review its SSI guidelines, develop a tracking 
mechanism for SSI redaction challenges, and conduct additional outreach 
with aviation stakeholders on SSI guidelines. These reforms will 
improve transparency at TSA.
  H.R. 1871 has the potential to enhance TSA's work to secure last-
points-of-departure airports by requiring TSA to include air carriers 
and other stakeholders in the development of security directives and 
emergency amendments affecting such airports and to engage with foreign 
partners on their implementation.
  By including industry and international perspectives in this process, 
H.R. 1871 will ensure TSA's efforts to secure flights from foreign 
airports are effective.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and 
I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1871, the 
Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act. Clarity and 
transparency are important everywhere in government, and the TSA is no 
exception. This bill will ensure that TSA creates a more consistent and 
transparent system for determining what qualifies as sensitive security 
information, or SSI. It further requires TSA to work closely with 
transportation stakeholders in the development, review, and 
implementation of new requirements, known as security directives, or 
SDs, and emergency amendments, or EAs.
  It is critical that TSA works hand in glove with our transportation 
industry to ensure the safest, most efficient travel for all Americans.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 1871, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I am 
prepared to close after the gentleman from New York closes. I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Bishop).
  Mr. BISHOP of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman 
for yielding.
  The Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act is a 
commonsense solution to strengthen national security and promote 
communication with stakeholders. Involving stakeholders in policymaking 
is the most effective way to implement trustworthy and efficient 
decisions. As any stakeholder will tell you, information sharing is 
critical.
  My bill will improve consistency in TSA's designation and redaction 
of materials as sensitive security information, as well as address the 
security directive and emergency amendment process and its impacts on 
international aviation security. My bill will also ensure clear and 
consistent designations and emphasize TSA's outreach with carriers and 
local law enforcement to promote information sharing.
  Finally, the Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act 
will instruct the TSA Administrator to implement guidelines to ensure 
all security and safety measures are being met. This legislation will 
undoubtedly improve aviation security by ensuring TSA clearly 
communicates critical security information to transportation security 
stakeholders.
  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I urge 
Members to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  The Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act is a 
bipartisan and commonsense bill that will improve TSA's operations.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1871, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Barragan) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1871.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.

[[Page H3688]]

  

  Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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