[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 29, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H5541-H5544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ONE-STOP PILOT PROGRAM ACT OF 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 4094) to conduct a pilot program at foreign 
last point of departure airports to permit passengers and their 
accessible property to continue on additional flights or flight 
segments originating in the United States without additional security 
re-screening, and for other purposes, as amended.

[[Page H5542]]

  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 4094

       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 ``One-Stop Pilot Program Act 
     of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM FOR ONE-STOP SECURITY.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding 44901(a) of title 49, 
     United States Code, the Administrator of the Transportation 
     Security Administration, in coordination with U.S. Customs 
     and Border Protection, is authorized to conduct a pilot 
     program at not more than six foreign last point of departure 
     airports to permit passengers and their accessible property 
     arriving on direct flights or flight segments originating at 
     such participating foreign airports to continue on additional 
     flights or flight segments originating in the United States 
     without additional security re-screening if--
       (1) the initial screening was conducted in accordance with 
     an aviation security screening agreement described in 
     subsection (d);
       (2) passengers arriving from participating foreign airports 
     are unable to access their checked baggage until the arrival 
     at their final destination; and
       (3) upon arrival in the United States, passengers arriving 
     from participating foreign airports do not come into contact 
     with other arriving international passengers or those 
     passengers' property or other persons who have not been 
     screened or subjected to other appropriate security controls 
     required for entry into the airport's sterile area.
       (b) Requirements for Pilot Program.--In carrying out this 
     section, the Administrator shall ensure there is no reduction 
     in the level of security or specific aviation security 
     standards or requirements for screening passengers and their 
     property prior to boarding an international flight bound for 
     the United States, including specific aviation security 
     standards and requirements regarding the following:
       (1) High risk passengers and their property.
       (2) Weapons, explosives, and incendiaries.
       (3) Screening passengers and property transferring at a 
     foreign last point of departure airport from another airport 
     and bound for the United States, and addressing any co-
     mingling of such passengers and property with passengers and 
     property screened under the pilot program described in 
     subsection (a).
       (4) Insider risk at foreign last point of departure 
     airports.
       (c) Re-Screening of Checked Baggage.--The Administrator may 
     determine whether checked baggage arriving from participating 
     foreign airports referenced in subsection (a) must be re-
     screened in the United States by an explosives detection 
     system before such baggage continues on any additional flight 
     or flight segment.
       (d) Aviation Security Screening Agreement Described.--An 
     aviation security screening agreement described in this 
     subsection is an agreement signed by the Administrator, 
     without delegating such authority, and entered into with a 
     foreign country that delineates and implements security 
     standards and protocols utilized at a foreign last point of 
     departure airport that are determined by the Administrator to 
     be comparable to those of the United States and therefore 
     sufficiently effective to enable passengers and their 
     accessible property to deplane into sterile areas of airports 
     in the United States without the need for re-screening.
       (e) Re-Screening Requirement.--If the Administrator 
     determines that the foreign country participating in the 
     aviation security screening agreement has not maintained and 
     implemented security standards and protocols comparable to 
     those of the United States at foreign last point of departure 
     airports at which a pilot program has been established in 
     accordance with this section, the Administrator shall ensure 
     that passengers and their property arriving from such 
     airports are re-screened in the United States before such 
     passengers and their property are permitted into sterile 
     areas of airports in the United States. In the case of 
     continued or egregious failure to maintain such security 
     standards and protocols, the Administrator shall suspend or 
     terminate the aviation security screening agreement, as 
     determined appropriate by the Administrator, and shall notify 
     the appropriate congressional committees of such suspension 
     or termination, as the case may be, not later than seven days 
     after such suspension or termination.
       (f) Certifications and Briefings to Congress.--Not later 
     than 30 days before an aviation security screening agreement 
     in accordance with subsection (d) enters into force, the 
     Administrator shall provide to the appropriate congressional 
     committees the following:
       (1) A copy of such agreement.
       (2) A homeland security threat assessment for the country 
     in which such foreign last point of departure airport is 
     located, information on any corresponding mitigation efforts 
     to address any security issues identified in such threat 
     assessment, and the Administrator's plans for ensuring 
     through joint covert testing or other measures compliance 
     with the security standards and protocols set forth in such 
     agreement.
       (3) A certification that such agreement satisfies all 
     requirements specified in subsection (b) or, in the event 
     that one or more of such requirements is not so satisfied, an 
     identification of the unsatisfied requirement and information 
     on what actions will be taken to ensure such remaining 
     requirement is satisfied before such agreement enters into 
     force.
       (4) A certification that the Administrator consulted with 
     stakeholders, including air carriers, airport operators, 
     relevant interagency partners, and other stakeholders the 
     Administrator determines appropriate.
       (5) A detailed briefing on the substance of paragraphs (1) 
     through (4).
       (g) Sunset.--The pilot program described in subsection (a) 
     shall terminate six years after the date of enactment of this 
     section.
       (h) Report to Congress.--Not later than five years after 
     the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security, in coordination with the Administrator, 
     shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     report regarding the implementation of the pilot program 
     described in subsection (a), including information relating 
     to the following:
       (1) The impact to homeland security and international 
     aviation security, including any benefits and challenges, of 
     such pilot program.
       (2) The impact to passengers, airports, and air carriers, 
     including any benefits and challenges, of such pilot program.
       (3) The impact and feasibility of continuing such pilot 
     program or expanding into a more permanent program, including 
     any benefits and challenges.
       (i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed as limiting the authority of U.S. Customs and 
     Border Protection to inspect persons and baggage arriving in 
     the United States in accordance with applicable law.
       (j) Definitions.--In this section:
       (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) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. 
Guest) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.


                             General Leave

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members 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 
gentleman from Mississippi?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4094, the One-Stop Pilot 
Program Act of 2021.
  This legislation seeks to simplify and streamline the security 
screening process for certain international air travelers arriving in 
the U.S.
  It does so by directing the Transportation Security Administration to 
carry out a pilot program to allow passengers arriving from certain 
foreign airports to proceed directly to their connecting flights in the 
United States without having to go through the domestic security 
screening process.
  Under current law, TSA is required to screen international passengers 
and their belongings upon their arrival in the U.S. before they can 
continue on to a connecting flight at a domestic airport. In practice, 
this means that upon landing, passengers must go through a TSA 
checkpoint with their carry-on items and have their checked baggage 
rescreened by TSA.
  Under the pilot program required under H.R. 4094, arriving 
international passengers would forego TSA screening when transferring 
to a domestic flight if they originated from certain airports where 
strong security measures are in place on the front end.
  As amended, this bill requires foreign airports participating in the 
pilot to uphold security screening standards and procedures that are 
comparable to those used by TSA. In doing so, passengers and their 
belongings at these airports will be securely screened before they 
arrive in the United States so they can more easily catch their 
connecting flight to their final destination.
  Beyond an improved passenger experience, requiring security standards 
and protocols at foreign airports to be on par with those used in the 
U.S. could help strengthen aviation security around the globe.
  Mr. Speaker, 20 years after 9/11, enhancing transportation security 
remains a critical priority. With that, I support H.R. 4094, and I urge 
my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H5543]]

  

  Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4094, the One-Stop Pilot 
Program Act of 2021. This legislation will allow TSA to conduct a pilot 
program with select foreign airports that will make international air 
travel both more secure and more efficient.
  Streamlining international aviation security for passengers from 
certified foreign airports would not only encourage airports around the 
globe to reach U.S. security standards, but it will also help 
revitalize a struggling international aviation industry. This 
innovative pilot program shows that it is possible to have both better 
security and a more seamless passenger experience.
  I thank Ranking Member Katko for his tireless work with colleagues on 
both sides of the aisle to bring this legislation to where it is today.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to join me in supporting H.R. 4094, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Katko), the ranking member.
  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4094, the One-Stop Pilot Program Act of 
2021 authorizes the Transportation Security Administration to establish 
a pilot program to streamline international travel and enhance aviation 
security.
  Specifically, under this bill, international travelers from certified 
last point of departure airports would not need to be rescreened upon 
arrival in the United States for their domestic connecting flight.
  H.R. 4094 will improve international aviation security since 
participating LPD airports must elevate their level of security to that 
of the United States in order to be certified. Given the desire and 
competition among international airports to participate, the one-stop 
security pilot will help to raise the global baseline of aviation 
security.
  The bill ensures robust oversight of the pilot program by requiring 
TSA to brief and certify to Congress that security standards are 
maintained at participating pilot airports. Additionally, the pilot 
program will inform Congress and DHS as to whether a more permanent 
one-stop program is practical and beneficial to U.S. aviation security.
  One-stop screening would enable TSA to better utilize its screening 
workforce and technology to help facilitate the increased travel volume 
as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  Just this morning, the TSA administrator testified before the 
Committee on Homeland Security about the security and efficiency 
benefits that this pilot program will have on TSA's operations.
  The pilot program will also provide international travelers with a 
more seamless and efficient travel experience. Travelers will no longer 
have to rush to be rescreened by TSA during their layover and will have 
more time at the airport without fear of missing their connecting 
flights.
  The aviation industry will also realize efficiencies as a result of 
this bill. Air carriers will potentially be able to shorten connection 
times for travelers and streamline staffing at participating airports. 
U.S. airports will also see benefits as connecting travelers will have 
more time to dine and shop while on their layover. This is critically 
important as the travel and tourism industry continues to struggle with 
the effects of this brutal pandemic.
  For these reasons, and many others, aviation and travel industry 
stakeholders are very enthusiastic about this legislation, and I 
appreciate their strong support.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of support from Airlines 
for America, the American Association of Airport Executives, and the 
Airports Council International North America.

                                         Airlines for America,

                                    Washington, DC, June 29, 2021.
     Ranking Member John Katko,
     House Committee on Homeland Security,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Ranking Member Katko: I write to express Airlines for 
     America's (A4A) robust support for H.R. 4094, the ``One-Stop 
     Pilot Program Act of 2021.'' This bill would serve as a 
     critical tool for the Transportation Security Administration 
     (TSA), partner governments and the commercial aviation 
     industry to pilot innovative ways to increase security at 
     foreign last point of departure airports while increasing 
     efficiency of screening for passengers and baggage within the 
     United States.
       This bill would authorize a pilot program at 10 or fewer 
     foreign last point of departure airports, permitting 
     passengers flying from these airports and their carry-on 
     baggage to continue to additional flights or flight segments 
     within the U.S. without additional security rescreening. U.S. 
     airlines have collaborated positively with the TSA on similar 
     initiatives for years, but unfortunately our collective 
     efforts have been stymied by outdated requirements in the 
     Aviation and Transportation Security Act.
       By permitting the TSA to pilot a new concept in a safe and 
     controlled manner, it will be possible to demonstrate how 
     such security enhancement programs may be permanently and 
     broadly implemented. The bill is consistent with standards 
     and recommended practices set by the International Civil 
     Aviation Organization and puts the United States in a 
     position to lead the international community on modern 
     approaches to enhance aviation security.
       Safety and security are always the top priorities of A4A 
     and our member airlines, and we are encouraged that this bill 
     maintains the high aviation security standards for flights 
     into and within the United States. Upon passage, we look 
     forward to continued collaboration with the TSA on all One-
     Stop security efforts.
       On behalf of the commercial U.S. aviation industry, A4A 
     strongly supports this legislation. Thank you for your 
     leadership on this issue.
           Sincerely,

                                                 Lauren Beyer,

                        Vice President, Security and Facilitation,
     Airlines for America.
                                  ____

                                           American Association of


                                           Airport Executives,

                                    Alexandria, VA, June 29, 2021.
     Hon. John Katko,
     Ranking Members, Committee on Homeland Security, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Ranking Member Katko: On behalf of the American 
     Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and the thousands of 
     men and women across the country who manage and operate our 
     nation's airports, thank you for your continued leadership in 
     Congress on aviation security issues. I am writing to express 
     AAAE's support for the ``One Stop Pilot Program Act of 2021'' 
     that you introduced earlier this week.
       This legislation would permit the Transportation Security 
     Administration (TSA) to conduct a three-year pilot program at 
     up to 10 airports at which connecting passengers' and their 
     carry-on baggage would not need to be rescreened upon arrival 
     in the United States before connecting to another domestic 
     flight provided that the last point of departure airport has 
     a commensurate level of screening to the U.S. Some of AAAE's 
     airport members had been exploring this concept with TSA 
     prior to the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to eliminate 
     screening redundancy and improve passenger facilitation. We 
     appreciate the necessary changes your legislation would make 
     to permit this concept to be tested on a pilot basis.
       Once international travel is allowed to fully resume, which 
     AAAE and our airport members are eagerly awaiting and working 
     to see implemented as quickly and safely as possible in 
     concert with the federal government, the One Stop Pilot 
     Program will provide additional passenger facilitation 
     solutions to make international travel more seamless and 
     secure.
       We appreciate your efforts to advance this security 
     screening concept. Our member airports remain interested in 
     piloting this idea. AAAE stands ready to work with you to 
     advance this legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                               Stephanie K. Gupta,
                                            Senior Vice President,
     Security and Facilitation.
                                  ____



                               Airports Council International,

                                                    June 25, 2021.
     Hon. John Katko,
     Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Ranking Member Katko: On behalf of Airports Council 
     International-North America, which represents local, 
     regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate 
     commercial airports throughout the United States, I want to 
     share our support of your new bill, H.R. 4094, the One-Stop 
     Pilot Program Act.
       Airports welcome the introduction of this important 
     legislation to establish a pilot program at the U.S. 
     Department of Homeland Security that would allow passengers 
     and their baggage departing from approved foreign airports to 
     continue onto their connecting flights without having to go 
     through additional security screening. This one-stop security 
     pilot would create needed efficiencies by eliminating an 
     unnecessary and burdensome rescreening process for passengers 
     and baggage that were subject to a commensurate level of 
     screening at their departing airport. It also would allow TSA 
     to reallocate scarce resources to augment staffing at 
     checkpoint and checked baggage screening locations.
       Thank you for your efforts to enhance aviation security and 
     the passenger experience at America's airports. I look 
     forward to

[[Page H5544]]

     continuing to work with you on these important issues.
           Sincerely,

                                               Kevin M. Burke,

                                       President and CEO, Airports
                             Council International--North America.

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, lastly, I thank my friend, Representative 
Stephanie Murphy from Florida, for her partnership on this bipartisan 
bill, and I thank Chairman Thompson, my friend, for his commitment to 
bringing it to the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to join me in supporting H.R. 4094.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I also have no further speakers.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, the pilot program authorized under H.R. 4094 is intended 
to provide TSA and its international aviation security partners with an 
opportunity to streamline travel and enhance security.
  Importantly, H.R. 4094 includes essential security guardrails to 
ensure that the pilot is carried out in a way that does not result in 
lessened security standards regarding, for example, the carriage of 
small knives on planes or the transfer of upstream passengers without 
rescreening.
  That is why the legislation, which was introduced by the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Katko), received bipartisan support when it was 
approved by the Committee on Homeland Security in July.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4094, 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.

                          ____________________