Dreier Votes to Strengthen National Transportation Security

November 1, 2001

SUMMARY H.R. 3150 establishes a new Transportation Security Administration within the Department of Transportation (DOT) responsible for security for all modes of transportation and headed by a new Under Secretary. This new Administration will have personnel and management flexibility. This bill federalizes, but does not nationalize, airline security screening. It requires the Administration to adopt new stricter standards for screening of passengers and baggage. It also requires federal supervision of the screening process, background checks, testing, and strict oversight. The measure provides the Administration the option of either using federal employees or contracting with private screening companies. The measure also allows for expedited procedures to be used to get important security directives in place. Countries that Have Tried and Rejected Nationalized Screeners Israel, Germany, UK, Austria, Italy, France, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Sweden The bill requires the deployment of Federal Air Marshals. It also directs the new Under Secretary, in consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to take action to strengthen cockpit doors. H.R. 3150 requires a fee to be charged for each one-way trip to cover the cost of providing the screening function. The fee will have to be based on the cost of providing the service, but will be capped at $2.50 per one-way trip. Any additional funds needed will be authorized to be appropriated or may come from a fee imposed directly on the airlines. The fee can be spent on security screening services only. The measure also requires federal or state law enforcement personnel at each screening location, not merely at each airport. The bill establishes an aviation oversight board composed of representatives from other agencies (DOT, Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Justice (DOJ), Treasury, and either the National Security Council (NSC) or Homeland Security) of the federal government to share intelligence information and oversee the actions of the new Under Secretary. The measure also establishes an advisory board composed of industry and labor stakeholders to advise the new Under Secretary on transportation and security issues. H.R. 3150 authorizes funding and provides flexibility in the use of Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) funds to help airports pay for the increased security costs and to help general aviation airports adversely affected by the restrictions on Visual Flight Rule (VFR) flights in Class B airspace.

WASHINGTON - Calling it “a powerful tool in the effort to better protect American travelers,” Representative David Dreier (R-San Dimas) voted today to approve legislation to improve and enhance the security of our nation’s transportation systems. The Secure Transportation for America Act of 2001 or H.R. 3150, addresses security concerns raised in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The legislation passed the House today by a vote of 286-139.

“Transportation security is about vigilance and foresight,” said Dreier. “Empowering the Administration to develop and implement security strategies will help us better anticipate and counter potential threats. By creating a comprehensive plan to combat terrorism over the long term, we will keep travelers safe and create peace of mind for the American people.”

The legislation creates the Transportation Security Administration within the Department of Transportation and establishes a new office of the Under Secretary for Transportation Security. Included in the bill are provisions requiring the adoption of stricter standards for passenger and baggage screening and federal supervision for screening, background checks and oversight. The bill directs the deployment of Federal Air Marshals and requires the Federal Aviation Administration to strengthen cockpit doors. A new aviation oversight board composed of representatives from other agencies, including the Departments of Transportation, Defense, and Justice will share intelligence information and oversee the actions of the Under Secretary. The Under Secretary will be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate and the term of office will be 5-years.

Dreier credited the leadership of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Chairman Don Young (R-AK) and Representative John Mica (R-FL) for this important legislation that gives the new agency the flexibility to craft effective national transportation security policies. “America will not allow terrorism to stifle our freedom of travel,” said Dreier. “This legislation will reassure the American people that our transportation systems are safe and secure.”