[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 199 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H6296-H6297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TSA REACHING ACROSS NATIONALITIES, SOCIETIES, AND LANGUAGES TO ADVANCE
TRAVELER EDUCATION ACT
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 5574) to require the TSA to develop a plan to ensure that TSA
material disseminated in major airports can be better understood by
more people accessing such airports, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5574
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 ``TSA Reaching Across
Nationalities, Societies, and Languages to Advance Traveler
Education Act'' or the ``TRANSLATE Act''.
SEC. 2. PLAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shall submit to
the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a plan to ensure that TSA
material disseminated in major airports can be better
understood by more people accessing such airports.
(b) Contents.--The plan required under subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) An identification of the most common languages other
than English that are the primary languages of individuals
that travel through or work in each major airport.
(2) A plan to improve--
(A) TSA materials to communicate information in languages
identified pursuant to paragraph (1); and
(B) the communication of TSA material to individuals with
vision or hearing impairments or other possible barriers to
understanding such material.
(c) Considerations.--In developing the plan required under
subsection (a), the Administrator of the TSA, acting through
the Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman, and
Traveler Engagement of the TSA, shall take into consideration
data regarding the following:
(1) International enplanement.
(2) Local populations surrounding major airports.
(d) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the
submission of the plan required under subsection (a), the
Administrator of the TSA shall implement such plan.
(e) GAO Review.--Not later than one year after the
implementation pursuant to subsection (d) of the plan
required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland
Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a review
of such implementation.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Airport.--The term ``airport'' has the meaning given
such term in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.
(2) Major airports.--The term ``major airports'' means
Category X and Category I airports.
(3) Non-traveling individual.--The term ``non-traveling
individual'' has the meaning given such term in section
1560.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
(4) TSA material.--The term ``TSA material'' means signs,
videos, audio messages, websites, press releases, social
media postings, and other communications published and
disseminated by the Administrator of the TSA in Category X
and Category I airports for use by both traveling and non-
traveling individuals.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Nevada (Ms. Titus) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Nevada.
General Leave
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Nevada?
There was no objection.
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 5574, known as
the TRANSLATE Act.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congressman Van Taylor of Texas,
for once again joining me in introducing this legislation, which will
ease TSA's security processing at our Nation's major airports.
The TRANSLATE Act is bipartisan legislation building upon the
Transportation Security Administration's ongoing efforts to increase
access for non-English speakers, and for those with vision and hearing
impairments, as they navigate the security screening process.
It does this by directing TSA to analyze common languages other than
English that are spoken by both our international travelers as well as
those who reside in the nearby community and then develop and execute a
plan to disseminate security information in those languages to ease the
screening process.
I represent the heart of Las Vegas Valley, including McCarran
International Airport, which is one of the Nation's busiest airports,
welcoming passengers from around the country and around the world who
come to enjoy all that southern Nevada has to offer.
Navigating our air system can be stressful enough--if you travel back
and forth, you know what I mean--for even the most well-seasoned
traveler. Removing potential language barriers to ease TSA processing
is not only beneficial for those travelers but also for the general
public rushing to catch their flights.
Southern Nevada's community is rich in diversity. One of every three
Clark County residents speaks a language other than English at home.
Nationwide, that number is just over one out of every five residents.
Yet, much of what TSA communicates to travelers and transportation
workers through signs, announcements, videos, and online content is in
English.
[[Page H6297]]
Let's be clear. You shouldn't have to worry about missing a plane at
an airport in the U.S. just because you don't speak English. Making
travel and security information easier to understand for non-English
speakers and for those with vision and hearing impairments will help
create a more comfortable and efficient airport experience for
residents and visitors alike.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Committee on Homeland
Security for their unanimous support of this legislation last month and
the chairman for his assistance in getting this passed.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the passage of
the TRANSLATE Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today for H.R. 5574, the TRANSLATE Act.
According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 67
million U.S. residents speak a language other than English at home.
This legislation requires TSA to ensure that its communications
materials in airports are in the primary languages of individuals who
travel through and work in our country's airports.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1400
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, our Nation's airports connect Americans to one another
and to the rest of the world. But for travelers who do not primarily
speak English or who experience hearing or vision difficulties, the TSA
screening process can be challenging and result in delays for all the
other travelers who are standing in line.
By requiring TSA to make its signage and announcement more accessible
to passengers at major airports, my bill will bring much-needed
inclusivity and efficiency to the whole travel experience. I know we
all appreciate seeing signs in English when we are traveling abroad.
U.S. airports should be just as welcoming and reflect the diversity of
our constituents and the travelers who visit our cities.
So, once again, Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote for
H.R. 5574, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bowman). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5574, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. 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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