[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 57 (Thursday, March 31, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E330-E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        STOP SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT IN TRANSPORTATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 30, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5706 the 
Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Act to

[[Page E331]]

protect transportation personnel and passengers from sexual assault and 
harassment.
  The bill would require certain passenger transportation carriers, 
including passenger airlines, buses, passenger railroads, and 
transportation network companies (Uber or Lyft) to establish formal 
policies, trainings, and reporting structures to crack down on sexual 
assault and harassment.
  The bill would also institute penalties for individuals who 
physically or sexually assault or threaten transportation personnel.
  Public transportation is essential to the lives of millions of 
Americans. The threat of being sexually assaulted or harassed obstructs 
their ability to get to work, school or to pick up their kids from day 
care.
  Passengers of public transportation live with a constant fear of 
being sexually victimized or threatened. Women especially have a higher 
chance of experiencing these sorts of encounters.
  In Houston there have been several cases of men and women both 
passengers and employees of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, that 
have faced harassment and assault on public transport.
  Public transportation should be the last place where Americans fear 
for their lives.
  We must use our authority as Members of Congress to put in place a 
system that would help protect passengers from these obscene crimes, 
This bill would help protect the single mom in Houston trying to get to 
work on time, or the middle schooler in New York City using the subway 
to get to school.
  I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5706 the Stop 
Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Act.

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