[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--
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(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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