[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14700]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




ON THE PASSAGE OF H.R. 2200, THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 
                           AUTHORIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 2009

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to voice my concerns with 
the Transpotion Security Administration Authorization Act. While I 
supported this bill, I would like to make clear that I had concerns 
with the air cargo security language contained in Section 201 of H.R. 
2200 and hope that as the bill moves forward that this provision is 
changed.
  The 9/11 Commission recommended that the Transportation Security 
Administration (TSA) be given the necessary staff and funding in order 
to screen 100 percent of all air cargo by August, 2010. Currently there 
are serious deficiencies in the screening of inbound air cargo, which 
accounts for nearly half of the air cargo carried on passenger 
airplanes each year. Section 201 of H.R. 2200 creates a significant 
delay of two years until 100 percent of cargo must be screened from the 
enactment of this bill, even though there was a year left on the 
original deadline as passed when Congress implemented the 9/11 
Commission recommendations. It makes no sense to grant an extension 
with over a year until the original deadline.
  Outbound passenger air cargo is screened at a much higher rate, but 
in order to be fully secure, inbound cargo must be thoroughly checked 
as well. As the United States continues to confront the threats of 
terrorism since September 2001, we must be as cautious and careful as 
possible with our transportation security net to ensure that passengers 
on commercial airplanes are safe, and that cargo on airplanes is 
thoroughly checked.
  Meeting the 100 percent screening mandate presents significant 
challenges in both funding and manpower, however, Congress should not 
be diluting the requirements recommended by the 9/11 Commission and 
should be providing the TSA with the required resources to meet the 
deadline, instead of extending the deadline into the future. In doing 
so, we will increase our safety and security as well as fully implement 
the 9/11 Commission's recommendation for air cargo.

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