Assistant Secretary Kip Hawley's Oral Testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations
Testimony & Speeches
Before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security
Committee on Appropriations
United States House of Representatives
February 28, 2008
Thank you Chairman Price, Ranking Member Rogers, and Members of the Committee. It is a pleasure to share this panel with Cathy Berrick from GAO and my colleagues, airport executive Jim Bennett and Peggy Sterling from American Airlines. I would also like to recognize TSA Deputy Administrator Gale Rossides who is with us this morning as well.
As we discuss the President's FY 2009 budget proposal here this morning, I think it is important to note that right now, as we speak:
- Federal Air Marshals in the thousands are on the job around the world performing missions based on the latest intelligence information.
- Behavior Detection Officers and Travel Document Checkers are providing additional layers of security at checkpoints all across America. Every day, Behavior Detection Officers and Travel Document Checkers are zeroing in on people, who through behavior or false documents, demonstrate that they are of higher risk. Yesterday, for instance, in the Miami, Boston, and Newark airports, Behavior Detection Officers identified people behaving in a suspicious manner and took appropriate action. In Long Beach, California, a Travel Document Checker identified a fraudulent ID and turned the individual over to law enforcement.
- VIPR Teams [Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response], our mobile strike teams of Federal Air Marshals, Behavior Detection Officers, Inspectors and K-9 teams, are operational starting at 4 A.M. this morning. In Detroit, employee and vehicle screening is underway; in Miami, joined by ICE and CBP agents, they are conducting air cargo security operations; in New York at JFK and in the metro Washington area, teams are at work with the transit authorities serving those airports. These teams are supported by our law enforcement partners in all of these locations.
- Our Employee Screening mobile teams are out right now screening airport employees and performing vehicle checks across the country. Yesterday an individual in Reno, Nevada tried to get by with a false SIDA badge and he was arrested.
- Sophisticated explosives detection training and tests of our Transportation Security Officers are in progress at checkpoints right now across the country.
TSA is a very different agency than it was three years ago.
All of these capabilities have been started or significantly enhanced by this Committee's support over the last three years. I appreciate that support and the partnership of this Subcommittee. There is no doubt that the transportation system is safer today and better prepared for tomorrow because of our work together. TSA's management team of career professionals in Headquarters and the field have performed magnificently during that time.
Let me give you some metrics.
In FY 2005, we had approximately 45,000 TSO [Transportation Security Officer] FTE at the checkpoint doing basic screening of passengers and baggage. In contrast, in FY 2008, we had approximately 39,000 FTE performing these same basic functions. Despite an 8 percent growth in passenger traffic, wait times have remained reasonable and stable. Over the peak travel period between Thanksgiving and New Year, 98 percent of travelers had wait times of less than 20 minutes. TSA ordinarily uses Average Peak Wait times as a measurement. The Average Peak Wait times are at 15 minutes.
At the same time we have added additional layers of security. Approx 5,500 FTE now perform more advanced security functions through the Travel Document Checker, Employee Screening, Bomb Appraisal Officer, and Behavior Detection SPOT programs. As you have directed, TSA is providing better and smarter security for more travelers, with the same 45,000 TSO [Transportation Security Officer] FTE provided for in FY 2005.
To be clear, the supervisor numbers are what make the numbers in FY 2009 appear higher.
We couldn't add these security layers without attracting and retaining high performing Transportation Security Officers and the credit for this improved security goes to them. Thousands have stepped up to take on new responsibilities and the challenges of these very difficult and demanding jobs.
In 2008, we will see the first major upgrade in checkpoint technology in many years. New Advanced Technology X-ray will be deployed at hundreds of lanes starting this spring. We have begun innovations in checkpoint process as well. Passengers have already seen examples in Salt Lake, Denver, and Burbank. We are looking to provide a better environment for us to do our security job and also improve the experience for passengers. All of these initiatives work together as connected pieces in a multi-layered total security system.
In FY 2005, a handful of passengers were covered by Behavior Detection Officers, and there were no Travel Document Checkers, no AT X-ray machines, and no employee screening. By the end of FY 2008, the vast majority will be covered by Behavior Detection Officers; 100 percent of passengers will be covered by Travel Document Checkers; and over half the flying public by AT X-ray. And every airport now conducts random screening every day of its employees.
Our threat environment remains high and TSA's challenge has never been greater. In executing TSA's mission, I am very grateful for the high level of personal engagement and thoughtful support of the Chairman, Ranking Member, and Members of the Subcommittee. I can assure you, and the American public, that the men and women of TSA will honor your support again this coming year with tireless, intense commitment and focus on meeting the challenges ahead.
What we do is not often popular, but we do what we feel is right to protect Americans from attack.
Thank you very much.
