Clothe a Homeless Hero Act

Let me thank the ranking member for his courtesies of extending the time, and let me acknowledge the gentleman from Illinois for the work on this bill and working with my office.

At the first glance, though, this has been proposed by the Obama administration, one would wonder why we were lessening any oversight over baggage. But this is a process that I think is in compliance with all of our commitment to safety and security.

And, in particular, on this day, I do appreciate the fact that there are certain airports which this will cover, that this responds in particular to friends to the north of us, Canada, which has the most sophisticated technology, and a number of other airports.

Also, I think, because of the oversight of the Secretary of Homeland Security, in case there is a need to review this particular process which allows for a bag of an entering person to continue on with them as they come into the country going on to their domestic location. This is, again, an item of trust, but also an item of technology and an item of oversight.

This is an administrative proposal that came by way of the White House in order to establish an administrative process to which the flying public can travel with minimum security disruption.

I always emphasize, however, the importance of ensuring in the most-- the highest of responsibilities, the security of this Nation. I believe that we, as Congress, have the responsibility to ensure that aviation security is not compromised through any efforts that ease travel for the flying public.

The Obama administration has taken great strides in enhancing our transportation security, particularly that in aviation. Although Osama bin Laden, as I've repeated before on this floor, is dead, the threat to our aviation safety and security continues to evolve because we're well aware of franchise terrorism. Not only did the administration lead a successful attack to remove one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world, the Obama administration has also taken significant steps to enhance policies that protect the American flying public.

In December, the Department will successfully meet a Congressional cargo screening mandate of screening 100 percent cargo aboard passenger flights traveling in the United States and those inbound to the United States from foreign countries. This is a noteworthy accomplishment, since several in Washington, D.C., touted that it could not be done. It's a day of celebration. It's something that the 9/11 families welcome.

Today marks 11 years since we experienced the devastating loss of life, and 9/11 marked all of our lives by exposing doubts. But as I indicated in my earlier statement, this is a great country, and of course we continue to emphasize not only our democracy, but our rights, along with our security.

There's no doubt today that we are resilient and that we are survivors. Let's not forget the progress we've made in transportation security policies, and we must continue to support measures that take us forward.

That is why I support H.R. 6028 and ask that my colleagues do so, because not only does it help to expedite, it helps to be efficient, but it is in conjunction with security. That is the right step and a collaborative way that we can work together.

Again, I ask support for this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6028, The No-Hassle Flying Act of 2012. grants the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration [TSA]) discretion to determine whether checked baggage on a flight or flight segment originating at an airport outside the United States must be re-screened in the United States for explosives before it can continue on any additional flight or flight segment if the baggage has already been screened in the foreign airport in accordance with an aviation security preclearance agreement between the United States and the country in which the airport is located.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today in support of this legislation we are considering today.

H.R. 6028 came to this chamber as an administrative proposal by the White House in order to establish an administrative process through which the flying public can travel with minimal security disruption.

I believe that we, as Congress, have the responsibility to ensure that aviation security is not compromised through any efforts that ease travel for the flying public.

The Obama Administration has taken great strides in enhancing our transportation security, particularly that in aviation.

Although Osama bin Laden is dead, the threat to our aviation safety and security continues to evolve. Not only did this Administration lead a successful attack to remove one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world, the Obama Administration has also taken significant steps to enhance policies that protect the American flying public.

In December, the Department will successfully meet a Congressional cargo-screening mandate of screening 100% cargo aboard passenger flights traveling in the United States and those inbound to the United States from foreign countries.

This is a noteworthy accomplishment; since several in Washington, DC touted that this could not be done.

Today marks 11 years since we experienced a devastating loss of life.

9/11 marked all of our lives by surfacing doubts of our resiliency as a Country.

There is no doubt, today, that we are resilient and that we are survivors. Let's not forget the progress we have made in transportation security policies and we must continue to support measures that take us forward and provide a more safe and secure transportation for all Americans.

That is why I support H.R. 6028 and ask that my colleagues do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6328, the ``Jamie Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force Act,'' which Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration [TSA]) to transfer unclaimed clothing recovered at airport security checkpoints to local veterans organizations or other local charitable organizations for distribution to homeless or needy veterans and their families. Moreover, it authorizes the Assistant Secretary to enter into agreements with airport authorities for disposing of such clothing.

In my home state of Texas, we have nearly 1.7 million veterans. I represent 18th District in Texas which is home to over 32,000 veterans. Of the 200,000 veterans of military service who live and work in Houston; more than 13,000 are veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Veteran homelessness has been a substantial problem going back to at least the Vietnam era.

An estimated 10-16 percent of our nation's homeless population (between 76,000-136,000) are veterans.

Nearly one in seven homeless adults are veterans, as of * * *

More than 67,000 homeless veterans were counted on a given January night in America last year. More than 4 in 10 homeless veterans were found unsheltered.

Almost half of homeless veterans were African American in 2008 despite the fact that only 11 percent of veterans overall are African American.

1.5 million veterans are at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.

30.2 percent of veterans ages 18 to 24 were unemployed according to unpublished 2011 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Nearly 1 in 10 veterans with disabilities were not employed in 2010.

According to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a 2007 survey showed that more than one-third of employers were unaware of protections they must provide to servicemembers, and more than half spent less than 2 percent of their recruitment budget on military advertising and/or did not understand the qualifications of military service.

In that same survey more than half of all veterans were unsure of how to professionally network, and nearly three in four felt unprepared to negotiate salary and benefits and/or unable to effectively translate military skills.

More than 968,000 of veterans ages 18 to 64 had been in poverty in the past year in 2010.

More than 33,000 veterans were housed since 2009 by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs in permanent, supportive housing with case managers and access to VA health care.

$31 million of SNAP/food stamps funding in 2008 was spent at military commissaries to help feed military members and their families who struggle against hunger.

A veteran lives in one in five households benefiting from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides heating and cooling assistance.

After serving this country and protecting our rights and freedoms, these veterans often sustain debilitating injuries or post-traumatic stress that make readjusting to life in the U.S. an arduous task. It is often difficult for them to find jobs and as they slip further into hopelessness, they become more susceptible to drug abuse and violent acts which can lead to homelessness.

This is a disturbing trend that must end. Surely, in this great nation, we can provide for those who fought to defend us. As our men and women in the armed forces have served us, it is our duty to, in turn, serve them.

H.R. 6328 is a step in the right direction towards finding creative solutions for the basic needs of certain veterans. By using unclaimed clothing that has been left at airports is a wonderful way to help ensure that veterans who have fallen on hard times have access to clothing.

With the epidemic of depression, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in our military, along with the burden of long and repeated deployment during our nation's most recent wars, we must be vigilant about combating the issue of homelessness among our nation's heroes.

Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have remained committed to meeting both the needs of veterans of previous wars, and to those who are now serving. Veterans have kept their promise to serve our nation; they have willingly risked their lives to protect the country we all love. We must now ensure that we keep our promises to our veterans.

I have introduced and supported legislation that increases medical services to our troops, veterans and their families. I recently introduced a measure that resulted in $500,000 additional funding for PTSD research and treatment. Yet, as we work to improve the physical and mental health of our returning heroes; we must also work to ensure that our service men and women retain their dignity when they return home, and providing them with access to clothes is the least we can do to honor their service. For that reason, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6328, the ``Clothe a Homeless Hero Act,'' on Suspension.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 6328, Clothe a Homeless Hero Act, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Yesterday my hometown paper, The Buffalo News, ran an editorial that says, ``Homeless vets need our help: The reward for serving our country shouldn't be a life on the streets.''

Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree more.

We are here today to aid and honor America's veterans, especially those who've fallen on hard times, are most in need, and all too forgotten.

As the American people rush through lines at airports with their shoes, gloves, hats, scarves, and coats, it's easy to forget that so many Americans go without these basic comforts during the cold winter months. I know this personally. I just flew in from Buffalo, New York, where we have about a foot and a half of snow on the ground, and it calls to mind the sense that there are a lot of people in need, particularly our veterans. As we rush through airports, it's easy to leave behind these kinds of garments. That's what happened to me when I left a scarf at the Buffalo airport while coming to Washington.

As you've heard, TSA has reported that as many as 1,000 articles of clothing, like mine, are left behind at airport checkpoints every day. This adds up to thousands of pounds of abandoned, unclaimed clothing. At the same time, tens of thousands of veterans are homeless on any given night.

This is unconscionable, Mr. Speaker. Veteran homelessness is nothing less than a national tragedy. We must fully embrace the President's call to end veteran homelessness by 2015. We must work to end homelessness for all Americans--especially those heroes who risked their lives for our freedom. But until we end veteran homelessness, we must do everything we can to aid these American heroes.

I am sure you'll agree there is no better purpose for unclaimed warm clothing than to help America's homeless veterans. That's why I was so proud to introduce the Clothe a Homeless Hero Act, and to work with my colleagues in the Homeland Security Committee and Senator Gillibrand and Senator Toomey to improve and advance this bipartisan legislation.

This simple bill directs unclaimed clothing left at checkpoints like this to go to charitable organizations for distribution to homeless veterans and others in need.

Mr. Speaker, this is probably my last speech on the floor of Congress. I can't think of a worthier cause to champion than to make sure that our homeless veterans get the clothing they need and deserve. This measure is a simple, commonsense example of an opportunity for all of us, Democrats and Republicans alike, to work together and find common ground. Clearly we need much more of that, particularly on a day like this. I know every one of us is proud of the work our men and women in uniform do every day, and we're proud of the veterans who come home. We need to ask ourselves: are they proud of us?

Let us make this bill be a template for the bipartisanship that our veterans, indeed our country, deserves from the people they send to Washington to represent them.

I thank Chairman Bilirakis and my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee for supporting this legislation.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Mr. Speaker, again I simply want to thank on the Senate side Senator Gillibrand, Senator Toomey, and, of course, here my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee led by Peter King and our Ranking Member Thompson, and certainly Chairman Bilirakis and my dear friend Ranking Member Jackson Lee for all their support for this commonsense legislation to assist America's homeless veterans.

With that, I urge the adoption of the Senate amendment to H.R. 6328 so this measure can be sent to the President for his signature.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from New York, and I want to first of all say this will not be the last we hear of your voice, and what a stupendous voice you have. Thank you so much for making this time on the floor a time that pays tribute to veterans but also recognizes the outstanding service that you've given to this Nation, to the Committee on Homeland Security and your other committees, but more importantly the passion that you've shown as a true American. I hope that we heed the voice that you just lifted up that we owe to veterans not only this great legislation, but also the ability to come together and work on their behalf and on behalf of all Americans.

Thank you again for allowing me to comment on this bill as the ranking member on the Homeland Security Transportation Committee.

I thank Mr. Bilirakis. We have worked together on a number of legislative initiatives, and I thank him as well for his service, along with the retiring chairman, Chairman King, and our Democratic ranking member, Mr. Thompson, for their leadership. It gives me great comfort to be able to come on the floor today and say thank you.

Even though no one wants to see a homeless hero, a homeless veteran, I spent, over the holidays, time visiting a number of our centers where homeless veterans are, and I can tell you that they are the most giving and charitable persons.

Many of us will be able to recount on Thanksgiving Day, or during the holiday, being able to give or to share or to be able to distribute food or to serve veterans who, unfortunately, not of their own doing, have fallen upon hard times, do not have a place to live, and are coming to the various food pantries and food kitchens. It was one of great pleasure to me, not for their condition, but to be able to humbly just provide them with a warm meal. This is a commonsense legislative initiative that

says to homeless heroes, every day we're thinking of you.

As the ranking member on the Transportation Security Committee, I can assure you that Transportation Security officers are grateful to Ms. Hochul and to the Senate amendment for giving them this chance to further their service to the Nation.

There are many things that are left behind, and many times in the airport you hear that PA system saying, Come back, come back to the security checkpoint; you've left your iPad, your coat, your shoes. What else could you have left? Many times, unfortunately, those individuals are already on the airplane, and so we try our best, but we leave behind quality items that could be used for our veterans.

The Senate amendment expands this to other charities as well. But as the ranking member, I want to commend to our TSA officers and our officers that are supervisors across the Nation's airports, and to our airports, yes, you have the opportunity to give to veterans, charitable institutions and others, but I encourage you, because of the extensive number of homeless veterans, that you give these items so that we can have, not only resources, but clothing for homeless veterans of whom we hope that we will provide a pathway to be able to get out of the status of homelessness, but also while they're doing so, to provide them with this quality clothing.

So again, I rise to support H.R. 6328, as amended by the Senate, to thank the author of this legislation, Ms. Hochul, the gentlelady from New York; again, remind her that she will not have a silent voice, and this is a very grand and wonderful way to end at least your legislative service, your bill-writing service on this floor of the House and in this Congress where you are serving the Nation's veterans. We are forever grateful, and I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6028, the No-Hassle Flying Act of 2012, and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, while I support the legislation we are considering today, I'm concerned that on this, the anniversary of the terrorist attack of September 11, we are not considering a bipartisan package of legislation.

On this day, 11 years ago, our country was attacked and came together like never before to face the immense challenges of rebuilding and restructuring our security systems. With the creation of the 9/11 Commission, the Transportation Security Administration and, ultimately, the Department of Homeland Security, we demonstrated that homeland security is an American issue, not a partisan one.

Why then, I must ask, are we not considering a bipartisan package of legislative proposals that have previously received the unanimous support of the Committee on Homeland Security?

Why is this bill, which never received committee consideration, being put on the House floor ahead of H.R. 1165, the Transportation Security Administration Ombudsman Act? That bill, introduced by Representative Jackson Lee, received the unanimous support of the Committee on Homeland Security. Despite that, it has sat idle on the Union Calendar for over 10 months.

Why are we not considering H.R. 6328, a thoughtful proposal introduced by Representative Hochul that would require TSA to transfer unclaimed clothing found at security checkpoints to veterans in need? With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that were fought in the aftermath of 9/11 over and coming to an end, respectively, I could think of no more appropriate legislation for this body to consider today than a bill aimed at supporting our veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I support the bill we are considering today because it is a commonsense proposal that will make air travel more convenient for a select few and has the potential to enhance efficiencies. When we can eliminate duplicative screening without compromising security, I will lend my support.

Accordingly, I support this legislation that the Obama administration proposed and the gentleman from Illinois, Representative Walsh introduced.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield for as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers. If the gentleman from Illinois has no more speakers, then I am prepared to close.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on this day above all others, we turn our thoughts to those who were lost in the tragic events of 9/11. It is unfortunate that the House has missed the opportunity today to consider noncontroversial Homeland Security legislation introduced by both Democrats and Republicans, thus showing that on 9/11 we put partisan politics aside and focused on doing the right thing.

Before closing, I would like to extend my congratulations to the gentleman from Illinois, Representative Walsh, for having bills on the floor for consideration for the first time today. I suspect that he is as surprised as I am that one of his first bills to reach the floor was proposed to Congress by the Obama administration.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this proposal from the Obama administration, and I yield back the balance of my time.