Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1871) to improve the understanding and clarity of Transportation Security Administration policies, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1871, the Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act. This bipartisan legislation, as introduced by my colleague from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop), will ensure consistent standards and improve procedures for designating sensitive security information at TSA.

Sensitive security information, known as SSI, is information that if publicly released would be detrimental to transportation security. Just like with classified information, those who are granted access to SSI have a special obligation to safeguard it and face penalties if they fail to do so. Given these stakes, it is important that TSA apply consistent standards when designating SSI. This bill will not only require TSA to maintain those clear standards, but also develop a schedule to regularly review its SSI guidelines, develop a tracking mechanism for SSI redaction challenges, and conduct additional outreach with aviation stakeholders on SSI guidelines. These reforms will improve transparency at TSA.

H.R. 1871 has the potential to enhance TSA's work to secure last- points-of-departure airports by requiring TSA to include air carriers and other stakeholders in the development of security directives and emergency amendments affecting such airports and to engage with foreign partners on their implementation.

By including industry and international perspectives in this process, H.R. 1871 will ensure TSA's efforts to secure flights from foreign airports are effective.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from New York closes. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

The Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act is a bipartisan and commonsense bill that will improve TSA's operations.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1871, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

The Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act is a commonsense solution to strengthen national security and promote communication with stakeholders. Involving stakeholders in policymaking is the most effective way to implement trustworthy and efficient decisions. As any stakeholder will tell you, information sharing is critical.

My bill will improve consistency in TSA's designation and redaction of materials as sensitive security information, as well as address the security directive and emergency amendment process and its impacts on international aviation security. My bill will also ensure clear and consistent designations and emphasize TSA's outreach with carriers and local law enforcement to promote information sharing.

Finally, the Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act will instruct the TSA Administrator to implement guidelines to ensure all security and safety measures are being met. This legislation will undoubtedly improve aviation security by ensuring TSA clearly communicates critical security information to transportation security stakeholders.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1871, the Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act. Clarity and transparency are important everywhere in government, and the TSA is no exception. This bill will ensure that TSA creates a more consistent and transparent system for determining what qualifies as sensitive security information, or SSI. It further requires TSA to work closely with transportation stakeholders in the development, review, and implementation of new requirements, known as security directives, or SDs, and emergency amendments, or EAs.

It is critical that TSA works hand in glove with our transportation industry to ensure the safest, most efficient travel for all Americans.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 1871, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop).

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I urge Members to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 212.

members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress

Aderholt (Moolenaar)

Buchanan (LaHood)

DeSaulnier (Matsui)

Doyle, Michael F. (Cartwright)

Frankel, Lois (Clark (MA))

Fulcher (Simpson)

Garcia (IL) (Garcia (TX))

Gottheimer (Panetta)

Granger (Calvert)

Grijalva (Stanton)

Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)

Jones (Williams (GA))

Kahele (Moulton)

Kirkpatrick (Stanton)

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

McEachin (Wexton)

Meng (Jeffries)

Napolitano (Correa)

Payne (Pallone)

Ruiz (Correa)

Rush (Underwood)

Stewart (Owens)

Trone (Beyer)

Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 7 of House Resolution 535, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bills: H.R. 678; H.R. 1036; H.R. 1079; H.R. 1158; H.R. 1250; H.R. 1754; H.R. 1833; H.R. 1850;