Max Cleland Over-the-Road Bus Security and Safety Act of 2003

Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined today by Senators Hollings, Hutchison, Lautenberg, Smith, and Snowe in introducing the Over-the-Road Bus Security and Safety Act of 2003. The purpose of the bill is to provide funding assistance for security improvements to the intercity bus industry. The legislation is the bipartisan product of work that occurred during the last Congress under the leadership of Senator Max Cleland.

Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Congress and the Administration have taken extraordinary steps to improve security. We have enacted the Homeland Security Act, which consolidated 22 agencies in a new Department of Homeland Security. We also have enacted the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, ATSA, which closed security gaps at our nation's airports and largely transferred the responsibilities of the security of air transportation to the federal government. In addition, we've enacted the Maritime Transportation Security Act, MTSA, which, for the first time ever, established a framework for security at our nation's maritime ports. Yet, much remains to be done as we work to identify and close security gaps.

As we have witnessed in other countries, bus transportation can be the target of terrorist attacks. This is further evidenced by the fact that terminals that have already implemented a passenger screening process have seen a rise in discarded weapons in bus stations. In our view, facility improvements and baggage screening efforts

would be a significant step to improving bus security.

Therefore, the bill we are introducing today authorizes $35 million for fiscal year 2003 and $99 million for fiscal year 2004 to fund an intercity bus security grant program that would be administered by the Secretary of Transportation. It would include a matching requirement that recipients of federal grants fund 10 percent of the security improvement expenses.

Already, $15 million was appropriated for bus security grants in the fiscal year 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act and another $10 million was appropriated in the fiscal year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Act. This bill, if enacted, will authorize the funding already appropriated, along with an authorization of $99 million for fiscal year 2004 and, in turn, give Congress time to further study existing and future needs for bus transportation security and determine what, if any, changes should be made to the program.

The bill will help improve bus security by authorizing grants for security improvements at terminals; for the installation of surveillance equipment; for improvements to protect or isolate the driver; and for other specified improvements. The legislation also would require the Department of Transportation to complete a preliminary report assessing the adequacy of over-the-road bus security and determine what, if any, additional steps should be taken to improve bus security.

There have been several well-publicized bus accidents since September 11, 2001, including an accident on October 3, 2001, that involved an attack on the driver and claimed seven lives. Passing this measure will allow Congress to take short-term action that will have a beneficial effect on the security of the bus industry and does not preclude consideration of longer-term security policy considerations.

Efforts to pass similar legislation is also underway in the House of Representatives, where the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, under Chairman Young's leadership, has already reported legislation to be considered by the full House.

I want to thank Senators Hollings, Hutchison, Breaux, Lautenberg, Smith, and Snowe for joining me in this effort. I look forward to working with all members to move this legislation forward.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined today by Senators Hollings, Hutchison, Lautenberg, Smith, and Snowe in introducing the Over-the-Road Bus Security and Safety Act of 2003. The purpose of the bill is to provide funding assistance for security improvements to the intercity bus industry. The legislation is the bipartisan product of work that occurred during the last Congress under the leadership of Senator Max Cleland.

Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Congress and the Administration have taken extraordinary steps to improve security. We have enacted the Homeland Security Act, which consolidated 22 agencies in a new Department of Homeland Security. We also have enacted the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, ATSA, which closed security gaps at our nation's airports and largely transferred the responsibilities of the security of air transportation to the federal government. In addition, we've enacted the Maritime Transportation Security Act, MTSA, which, for the first time ever, established a framework for security at our nation's maritime ports. Yet, much remains to be done as we work to identify and close security gaps.

As we have witnessed in other countries, bus transportation can be the target of terrorist attacks. This is further evidenced by the fact that terminals that have already implemented a passenger screening process have seen a rise in discarded weapons in bus stations. In our view, facility improvements and baggage screening efforts

would be a significant step to improving bus security.

Therefore, the bill we are introducing today authorizes $35 million for fiscal year 2003 and $99 million for fiscal year 2004 to fund an intercity bus security grant program that would be administered by the Secretary of Transportation. It would include a matching requirement that recipients of federal grants fund 10 percent of the security improvement expenses.

Already, $15 million was appropriated for bus security grants in the fiscal year 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act and another $10 million was appropriated in the fiscal year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Act. This bill, if enacted, will authorize the funding already appropriated, along with an authorization of $99 million for fiscal year 2004 and, in turn, give Congress time to further study existing and future needs for bus transportation security and determine what, if any, changes should be made to the program.

The bill will help improve bus security by authorizing grants for security improvements at terminals; for the installation of surveillance equipment; for improvements to protect or isolate the driver; and for other specified improvements. The legislation also would require the Department of Transportation to complete a preliminary report assessing the adequacy of over-the-road bus security and determine what, if any, additional steps should be taken to improve bus security.

There have been several well-publicized bus accidents since September 11, 2001, including an accident on October 3, 2001, that involved an attack on the driver and claimed seven lives. Passing this measure will allow Congress to take short-term action that will have a beneficial effect on the security of the bus industry and does not preclude consideration of longer-term security policy considerations.

Efforts to pass similar legislation is also underway in the House of Representatives, where the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, under Chairman Young's leadership, has already reported legislation to be considered by the full House.

I want to thank Senators Hollings, Hutchison, Breaux, Lautenberg, Smith, and Snowe for joining me in this effort. I look forward to working with all members to move this legislation forward.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 210, S. 929.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee- reported amendments be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Federal Employee Student Loan Assistance Act be printed in the Record.