Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4176) to strengthen air cargo security, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4176, the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018.

The Transportation Security Administration is responsible for securing all modes of transportation, and implicit in this responsibility is the security of air cargo. Air cargo represents more that 35 percent of global trade by value, which translates to approximately $6.8 trillion worth of goods annually.

Given the impact that air cargo has on the U.S. and global economy, it is not surprising that this sector remains an appealing target for terrorists. Several incidents have demonstrated that terrorists may seek to target U.S.-bound shipments by exploiting weaknesses in air cargo security overseas.

In 2010, explosive devices concealed in packages bound for the United States from Yemen went undetected by initial screenings. Authorities indicated that the explosives were probably intended to detonate mid- flight over a U.S. city.

More recently, in July 2017, bomb-making materials were transported undetected from Turkey to Australia in an air cargo shipment.

H.R. 4176, the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018, is a timely and necessary step towards a more secure and resilient industry.

This legislation establishes an air cargo security division within the TSA to carry out all air cargo security policy and stakeholder engagement. Unlike the TSA's operational role in passenger screening at checkpoints, the TSA functions in an oversight and regulatory capacity with respect to air cargo screening.

Initiatives like the Certified Cargo Screening Program and the Known Shipper Management System enable the TSA to leverage key partnerships with manufacturers, shippers, freight forwarders, passenger airlines, and all cargo airlines to meet the 100 percent screening mandate of all freight on passenger aircraft.

H.R. 4176 requires the review of the Certified Cargo Screening Program and the Known Shipper Program to ensure that applicable regulations enhance program effectiveness. These initiatives are aided by cargo screening technologies designed to meet the logistical demands of the industry.

H.R. 4176 requires the TSA Administrator to conduct a feasibility study and a subsequent pilot program on expanding the use of computed tomography--CT--and other emerging technologies for air cargo screening.

Through October 2017, air cargo activity increased more than 10 percent from 2016 levels, the largest year-over-year growth in more than a decade, with the largest growth seen among international shipments to and from the United States.

In coordination with the cargo industry, the Customs and Border Protection--CBP--and the TSA have been pilot testing a risk-based approach to vet air cargo shipments known as the Air Cargo Advanced Screening system, with an emphasis on improving inspections on overseas shipments. Accordingly, H.R. 4176 requires the full deployment of ACAS for inbound international air cargo.

The Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018 is a sensible and progressive solution that will help to modernize the security of air cargo shipments and operations while ensuring the flow of commerce.

I thank the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Thompson, for advancing this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support this common sense piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time

Mr. Speaker, as a senior Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, a former chairman of the Transportation and Protective Security Subcommittee, and an original co-sponsor, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4176, ``Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2017.''

H.R. 4176 will strengthen the nation's air cargo security networks by requiring the Transportation Security Administration to establish an air cargo security division within the agency.

Within 120 days of enactment, TSA would conduct a feasibility study on the expanded use of computed tomography for air cargo.

Following the study, TSA would be required to initiate a pilot program to achieve enhanced air cargo security screening through the use of new or emerging technologies.

Within 150 days of enactment, TSA would be required to report to Congress on actions to improve the effectiveness of the Certified Cargo Screening Program.

The Government Accountability Office is tasked with reviewing the effectiveness of DHS' approach to addressing the air cargo security risk, including the risk-based strategy for examining air cargo and ensuring compliance with air cargo security rules.

TSA would be required to request that the Aviation Security Advisory Committee's Subcommittee on Air Cargo conduct a comprehensive review of TSA's Known Shipper Program.

Mr. Speaker, thirteen years ago, the U.S. National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States (9/11 Commission) expressed concerns ``regarding the screening and transport of checked bags and cargo.''

The Commission called for called for more attention and resources to be directed to reducing or mitigating the threat posed by explosives in vessels' cargo holds.

Today, the threat of a terrorist attack using air cargo is significant.

In fact, in July, then-Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly identified cargo-based aviation attacks as a major concern, explaining ``there are people out there, very smart people, very sophisticated people who do nothing but try to figure out how to blow up an airplane in flight.''

Secretary Kelly also said ``There is a fair amount of cargo, what we would attribute to just cargo flown on passenger airplane on space available. Terrorists are constantly looking for ways to do this.''

This increase in the air cargo security risk comes at a time when the volume of goods being moved by air cargo has increased, with 2016 volume back to approximately 98.4 percent of pre-recession levels with airlines transporting 52 million metric tons of goods.

In response to this security risk, H.R. 4176 directs the Transportation Security Administration to take a number of steps to enhance its responsibilities for air cargo and require the agency to aggressively move towards addressing current and future threats to air cargo.

Specifically, H.R. 4176 clarifies air cargo security responsibilities at TSA, encourages further technological developments for screening air cargo, directs a review of existing air cargo programs, and requires the Department of Homeland Security to make the Air Cargo Advance Screening Program permanent.

The threat posed by terrorists' abilities and desires to exploit vulnerabilities cannot be understated and they have demonstrably set their targets on air cargo.

We need to be timely and precise in addressing air cargo security, as we cannot afford, nor should the American public tolerate, otherwise.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 4176 so we can make Americans more secure from the threat of an air cargo-based terrorist attack.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4176, the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4176 seeks to improve the Transportation Security Administration's ability to address air cargo-based security threats.

Last July, then-Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly, identified such acts as a major concern, explaining that there are people out there, very smart people, very sophisticated people who do nothing but try to figure out how to blow up an airplane in flight.

Later that month, Australian authorities charged four men with plotting to bring down a passenger plane on behalf of ISIS with a bomb in the air cargo hold. This foiled terror plot underscores the need for the TSA to give focused attention to this clear and present security threat. The increased risk to air cargo comes at a time when the volume of goods being moved by air cargo has multiplied, with 2016 volumes nearly back to pre-recession levels.

If enacted, my bill would require the TSA to establish an air cargo security division to carry out air cargo security policy and stakeholder engagement responsibilities. Further, it would direct the TSA to pilot emerging technologies for screening cargo, such as computed tomography, for integration into current security programs.

I urge my colleagues to join me in advancing this necessary and straightforward Homeland Security legislation.

Mr. Speaker, while passenger and baggage screening efforts are the most visible part of aviation security, protecting against air cargo- based threats is just as critical.

Enactment of H.R. 4176 will ensure that the TSA is positioned to stay ahead of this ever-evolving security threat that face all who navigate our skies.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4176, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following cost estimate for H.R. 4176, the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018, prepared by the Congressional Budget Office, which was not made available to the Committee at the time of filing of the legislative report.

U.S. Congress,

Congressional Budget Office,

Washington, DC, March 20, 2018.

Hon. Michael McCaul,

Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has

prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4176, the Air

Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018.

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be

pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Megan

Carroll.

Sincerely,

Keith Hall, Director.

Enclosure.

H.R. 4176--Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018

As passed by the House of Representatives on March 19, 2018