Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this rule and the underlying bill--H.R. 3619, the Fiscal Year 2010 Coast Guard Authorization Act.

I would like to commend the Rules Committee for approving a Rule that will allow for a robust debate. I am particularly pleased that it provides 20 minutes of debate on the port security title of the bill.

Over the past few weeks, we worked closely, and on a bipartisan basis, with Chairman Oberstar, Chairman Cummings, Ranking Member Mica, and Ranking Member LoBiondo to bring this critical security bill to the floor as expeditiously as possible.

The bill that we are considering today builds on H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard Authorization bill that the House approved by a vote of 395 to 7 last Congress. Unfortunately, despite strong bipartisan support, that measure was not ultimately enacted into law.

Like that bill, H.R. 3619 provides long-overdue resources to an agency that has been underfunded for many years, while providing the Coast Guard new tools to secure our Nation's maritime environment in this post-9/11 world.

With respect to port and maritime security, H.R. 3619 provides key new resources to help the Coast Guard execute this homeland security mission. Specifically, it provides 1,500 additional Service Members, more Maritime Security Response Teams and Canine Detection Teams.

The bill also includes an important Coast Guard acquisition reform provision that requires the Coast Guard to take over the management of the 25-year, $24 billion Deepwater program.

Finally, I am pleased that the bill fosters greater diversity at the Coast Guard Academy--one of the Nation's fine military academies. Specifically, a provision I authored with Chairman Cummings would, for the first time, allow Members of Congress to nominate candidates for the Coast Guard Academy. It also directs the Coast Guard to establish programs to identify young adults from Minority Serving Institutions who may be candidates for becoming Coast Guard officers.

Passage of H.R. 3619 will provide the Coast Guard with a cadre of diverse, bright candidates from non-coastal areas of the nation and has the potential of helping to improve the culture within the Coast Guard Academy.

In closing, I would like to urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this rule and the underlying bill.

Madam Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3619, a bill to authorize the activities of the United States Coast Guard. The legislation before us today builds on H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard authorization bill that the House approved by a vote of 395-7 last Congress. Like that bill, H.R. 3619 provides long overdue resources to an agency that has been underfunded for many years.

Specifically, H.R. 3619 authorizes approximately $10 billion for FY 2010 to ensure that the Coast Guard has the resources it needs to live up to its motto, ``Always Ready.'' Not only does it provide $2 billion to the Coast Guard to secure our Nation's maritime environment in this post-9/11 world, H.R. 3619 strengthens our Nation's port and maritime security by authorizing 1,500 additional servicemembers, more Maritime Security Response Teams, an expansion of canine detection teams, a maritime biometric verification system for individuals interdicted at sea, the Coast Guard Port Assistance Program, and a public awareness program for recreational boaters to report suspicious activities on the water.

With the addition of the Oberstar amendment, this bill also makes a few refinements to the TWIC program. This program is called the Transportation Worker Improvement Card, Madam Chairman, and in so many instances, as we found out, people are still waiting for their TWIC card.

H.R. 3619 also requires the Coast Guard to lead the efforts to enforce security zones around vessels carrying certain dangerous cargos, such as liquefied natural gas. The bill takes a risk-based approach to ensure that limited resources are utilized appropriately. It also requires that necessary training be provided to any State and local entity that partners with the Coast Guard to protect a security zone.

There's a lot in this bill, in addition to provisions in the port security realm. This measure also brings new transparency and accountability standards for the Coast Guard's contracting with the private sector. It reforms the 25-year, $24 billion Deepwater acquisition program. It also enhances security on cruise ships, provides a new process for Members of Congress to nominate candidates to the Coast Guard Academy, and creates a new Minority Service Institution Management Internship program.

In closing, Madam Chairman, I'd like to thank Chairman Oberstar and Chairman Cummings for their efforts to bring this bill to the floor. I'd also like to express my appreciation to Ranking Member King and his staff for working so cooperatively to move this bill expeditiously. I can only hope that we will see a similar commitment from the Senate colleagues. We need to get a final bill to the President for his signature as soon as possible.

I urge passage of this important legislation.

I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.

Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, how much time do I have?

Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez).

Madam Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Madam Chair, as the motto states, the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard are always ready to safeguard the Nation in our ports, at sea and around the world. I am confident that this bill before the House today will assist the Coast Guard just as they assist American people every day. I urge my colleagues to give H.R. 3619 their strong support.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.

Madam Chairman, currently, all transportation workers who work at our Nation's ports have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential, commonly referred to as a TWIC card.

This card costs around $132, and it requires applicants to pass a security background check. Some ports have required transportation workers, including truckers and longshoremen, to have additional access badges and background checks prior to entering.

The TWIC program was supposed to simplify the process by eliminating duplicate background checks and by minimizing the burden on transportation workers. It does not make sense for States to require and to charge transportation workers for additional background checks when workers have already passed a stringent Federal background check.

Language in the manager's amendment eliminates duplicative background checks by prohibiting States from requiring transportation workers to undergo State security background checks in addition to TWIC. At the same time, the bill provides discretion to the Secretary of Homeland Security to allow a State to maintain its program if there is a compelling homeland security reason for a separate security check.

The House supported a single Federal credential for port workers with the approval of the Castor amendment to H.R. 2200, the Transportation Security Authorization Act, which was passed earlier.

The Mica amendment before us today would prohibit the TWIC from being the sole government-issued security card that maritime workers have to secure in order to work in our Nation's ports. Under the Mica amendment, a truckdriver or a port worker who needs to access ports in various States could be required to obtain a security credential from multiple States rather than being able to obtain a single Federal credential which would be accepted at ports around the country.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the Chair of the full committee.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to include in the Record a letter from the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department also opposing this amendment.

Transportation

Trades Department, AFL-CIO,

Washington, DC, October 22, 2009.

Re oppose the Mica amendment to the Coast Guard authorization

bill.

Dear Representative: On behalf of the Transportation Trades

Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I urge you to oppose the Mica

amendment to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (H.R.

3619). TTD also supports final passage of the underlying bill

and the Manager's amendment to be offered by Chairman

Oberstar.

The Mica Amendment would allow states and local governments

to impose additional and duplicative security background

checks on workers who have access to vessels and port

facilities. These workers are already required to hold a

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and

pass an extensive security vetting process that includes a

criminal background check. One of the objectives of the TWIC

program was to create a national security standard along with

a national credential that would be accepted throughout the

U.S. maritime industry. If states and others are allowed to

impose different security standards, a worker who holds a

TWIC and works at one port might be unable to enter other

ports of vessels located in different jurisdictions. The

patchwork of credentials and security checks that would be

created by the Mica amendment is inconsistent with the

national scope of the TWIC program and would impose

additional fees on workers and their employers.

Finally, the Mica amendment would undermine language

originally introduced by Rep. Castor that seeks to limit

state and local security checks. This language has already

been approved by the House as part of the TSA Reauthorization

bill and is included in the Manager's amendment to H.R. 3619.

Specifically, this language would prohibit a state or local

government from adding on a separate security check for a

purpose for which a federal transportation security card has

already been issued. This clarifies that workers, for

example, who have already applied for and received a TWIC

should not be subject to additional and duplicate security

checks for entering a port or a maritime vessel. This is a

modest prohibition and can be waived by DHS if a state can

demonstrate a compelling homeland security reason for

imposing additional security checks.

Again, I urge you to oppose the Mica Amendment and vote for

the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (H.R. 3619) when it

is considered on the House floor.

Sincerely,

Edward Wytkind,

President.

Again, Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

It's clear that it would provide an undue hardship on a number of individuals and States. It's duplicative.

We need one Federal card for security and identification purposes. The TWIC card has been approved by this Congress, and I urge opposition to this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 797, recognizing the goals and ideals of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

The release of the Presidential Cyberspace Policy Review in May was an important step forward.

However, more work remains to be done to ensure that cybersecurity is fully integrated into our nation's homeland security efforts.

Our country can't afford 20th century thinking for a 21st century problem.

I congratulate Ms. Clarke, the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, for her work on cybersecurity, and thank her for authoring this resolution.

The Committee has held ten hearings and undertaken numerous investigations into cybersecurity issues affecting the Federal government, the private sector, and critical infrastructure owners and operators in just the last three years.

Though the Homeland Security Committee is primarily concerned with cybersecurity on Federal networks and critical infrastructure, we recognize the important education mission carried out by the National Cyber Security Alliance and their efforts to reach home users, small businesses, and students and educators of all ages.

The National Cyber Security Alliance's mission is to increase awareness of cyber security practices and technologies to these folks

through educational activities, online resources and checklists.

Raising the awareness of this issue in both the public and private sectors is absolutely vital as our country becomes increasingly connected.

Cybercrime is a serious business--recent reports suggest that cyber- crime has become a $105 billion business that now surpasses the value of the illegal drug trade worldwide.

During the past two years, one in five online consumers has been a victim of cybercrime.

But companies and consumers continue to underestimate the threat from phishing, data loss, and other cyber vulnerabilities.

I encourage my colleagues today to support this resolution and join me and Representative Clarke in our efforts to address this threat to our economy and homeland security.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak in support of the conference report on H.R. 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act.

The funding provided in this package would help ensure the Department of Homeland Security, under the leadership of Secretary Janet Napolitano, will have the resources it needs to execute all its missions.

DHS has a lot to do, from deterring, detecting and responding to terrorism to rescuing wayward boaters, to pre-positioning disaster resources. H.R. 2892 gives DHS the $42.7 billion it needs to fulfill its mission.

With respect to border security, the bill makes significant new investments to enhance border security along the southern and northern borders. I am particularly pleased that the bill provides $72.6 million to increase personnel and provide new equipment in the Southwest Border Counterdrug Initiative, which dedicates resources to target the flow of guns and bulk cash that fuel border violence.

This bill also provides $1.5 billion to support targeted, smarter immigration enforcement. These funds will expand critical programs such as Securing the Communities, which identifies and removes the most dangerous and violent criminal aliens on our border.

I support the new resources the legislation appropriates to transportation security, including funds for air cargo and surface transportation security.

Chemical security is another area of critical infrastructure that garnered significant attention in this bill. It provides $100 million in funding to DHS to support the coordination and management of regulating high-risk chemical facilities and brings the size of the C- FATS regulatory staff to 250.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I urge the passage of this important legislation because it makes the necessary investment in security and resilience to protect Americans from future threats and catastrophic incidents, natural or man-made.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 731 and thank my colleague, Ms. Clarke, for introducing it. This resolution applauds the public servants at the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, for their outstanding dedication to securing our Nation.

More importantly, House Resolution 731 encourages citizens to prepare themselves and their families to respond to any emergency--whether it is an act of terror, natural disaster, or other crisis.

Today marks the end of National Preparedness Month, NPM, which DHS has successfully promoted for the last 6 years. NPM is sponsored by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps program, and is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. DHS has partnered with 2,400 coalition members across the country to promote the message that preparedness is a shared responsibility and that we all must do our part to be ready when disaster strikes.

As a former volunteer firefighter, I know that lives are saved when the public takes steps to prepare for the worst. And as the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I want the people of this Nation to take the necessary steps to prepare themselves in the event of an emergency. To be prepared, all individuals should visit www.ready.gov and take three simple steps. These steps are:

1. Get a Kit. All households should build a disaster supply kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for three days. The kit should include basic items such as water, food, medicine, batteries, flashlights, hygiene materials, and blankets.

2. Make a Plan. Every family should develop and communicate with each other their evacuation or sheltering plan. The plan should correspond to the school, work and community of every member of the family. All families are encouraged to practice this plan to ensure familiarity with evacuation or meeting routes, have cell phones charged and keep a charger in the car.

3. Be informed. We all need to know about the type of disasters or emergencies that may occur where we live, work and play. Every citizen should also learn about what to do in the event of a biological, chemical, explosive, nuclear or radiological attack.

In addition to getting a kit, making a plan, and being informed, citizens can also get involved in helping their neighbors prepare. To learn how you can contribute to the Citizen Corps program, which brings together communities in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery efforts, visit the www.citizencorps.gov website.

Mr. Speaker, an August 2009 survey commissioned by FEMA's Citizen Corps program shows we have a long way to go as a nation in preparing our communities for a disaster. According to the survey, just 56 percent of respondents reported having disaster supply kits in their home. Only 50 percent were familiar with emergency alert and warning systems, and just 38 percent were familiar with local sources of public safety information.

We must close these gaps. National Preparedness Month is one such step toward doing just that. It is an important national public awareness campaign that promotes citizen and community preparedness.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I support H. Res. 731 and urge adoption of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to House Resolution 317, which would recognize the region from Manhattan, Kansas, to Columbia, Missouri, as the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor.

While I have no issues with the larger goals of the resolution--to recognize the work that is going on in Kansas and Missouri on animal health--I do take issue with the recognition of the Manhattan, Kansas site ``as the future location for the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF).''

I support moving the critical research activities of Plum Island onto the U.S. mainland. However, I, like many other Members, have grave concerns about the selection process that was utilized by the prior Administration to secure a site for the NBAF. I do not believe that the selection criteria were applied in a consistent manner. Accordingly, I have discomfort with the inclusion of the reference to the Manhattan, Kansas site in this resolution.

Moreover, while I have no doubt that there is salutary work on animal health being conducted in Kansas and Missouri, I have some discomfort with the statement that the Kansas-Missouri corridor has ``unmatched'' capacity to support the animal health industry. There are certainly other areas around the Nation that have a great deal of capacity.

For these reasons, I must vote ``no'' on the resolution.

Madam Speaker, it gives me immense pleasure to recognize the life and accomplishments of a scholar, a leader, and a pillar in the community, Mr. Edgar Bridges.

Mr. Edgar Bridges' extensive scholastic record is an excellent testament to his belief in the power of education both for himself, and for the advancement of his community as a whole. He began his scholastic career in Lawrence County Public Schools. Later, he attended Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute. He then attended Pacific Training School in Los Angeles California. Mr. Edgar Bridges' scholastic achievements culminated when he received a Bachelor's in Science Degree in Religious Education from The Mississippi Baptist Seminary.

Mr. Bridges' aforementioned education afforded him the opportunity to realize the importance of education for everyone. Thus, he became a champion for the educational development of children and improving life experiences for youth as a whole, serving as Executive Director of The Lawrence County Education and Recreation Association, president of the Lawrence County Educational Convention, member of the Board of Trustees for McCullough High School (Monticello, MS), and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Five County Child Development Program Inc.

Mr. Edgar Bridges' record of service to his community, church, and participation in civic activities are exemplary of a person who truly cares about the community, and believes in ``giving back'' to them through tireless effort and dedication. He served as co-chair of the Home Health Care Agency at Lawrence County Hospital and Superintendent of the Mission for the Lawrence County Baptist Association. He also contributed to the community by becoming a member of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, and was a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Mr. Bridges' phenomenal record in education and service was recognized in the form of awards, accolades, and citations. He received the Medgar Evers Award for Outstanding Leadership, the Labor and Industry Award from the NAACP for being an outstanding contributor to Head Start, and was Emeritus Grand Master of the M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge of Mississippi, an accomplishment in which he was most proud.

Once again, it is with great pleasure that I recognize the lifetime and accomplishments of The Honorable Mr. Edgar Bridges. I am honored to salute such a champion for academics, a true leader, and a pillar of the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 722, which marks the eighth anniversary of September 11, 2001 and solemnly recognizes the lives lost and the sacrifices made on that day.

I want to commend Mr. Hoyer and Mr. Boehner for bringing this bipartisan resolution to the floor.

None of us will ever forget where we were and what we were doing on the morning of September 11, 2001. The images of the planes hitting the World Trade Center towers, the smoke rising above the Pentagon, and the scattered remnants of flight 93 in that Shanksville, Pennsylvania field will forever be seared in our Nation's consciousness.

This resolution affirms that we continue to mourn the innocent loss of life that occurred that horrific morning and extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to family and friends of the victims. It also pays tribute to the heroism of the first responders, law enforcement personnel, and ordinary citizens who rushed to the aid of their fellow Americans on that darkest of days.

With this resolution, the House not only recognizes the extraordinary heroism of that day but acknowledges the significant strides we have made as a Nation to improve information sharing, strengthen our borders, and enhance our resilience. As a result, the United States is more secure today than it was on September 11, 2001. However, we must not lose sight of what still needs to be done or grow complacent about security. The nature of the terrorist threat demands vigilance at all levels of government and in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, this anniversary represents an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to these efforts and H. Res. 722 is a fitting remembrance of how September 11 changed the course of our Nation's history.

Let us never forget the lives that were lost and the lessons that were learned that day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1665, the ``Coast Guard Acquisition Reform Act of 2009.''

The Coast Guard is a valiant agency, one that is dedicated to saving lives and securing our nation's maritime borders.

Last year, Coast Guard men and women:

Responded to more than 24,000 search and rescue cases;

Saved more than 4,000 lives;

Interdicted nearly 5,000 individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally;

Deployed 400 personnel to protect Iraq's maritime oil infrastructure, train Iraqi naval forces, and enforce U.N. sanctions in the Arabian Gulf;

Boarded more than 1,500 high interest vessels bound for the United States for security inspections; and

Provided waterside security and escorts for nearly 500 military vessels that deliver supplies to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Coast Guard did all of this on ships that are thirty (30) to forty (40) years old.

Currently, the Coast Guard is building new assets, including the ``National Security Cutters'' and the ``Fast Response Cutters'' under the $24 billion Deepwater fleet modernization program.

Initially, when Deepwater first began in 2002, the Coast Guard delegated responsibility as lead system integrator to a private firm.

By all accounts, this delegation of responsibility led to poor workmanship, skyrocketing costs, and ships that didn't float.

In response, in 2007, Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen took the helm of this struggling program and assumed the lead integrator role.

Over the past two years, Admiral Allen has made significant changes to the acquisition and procurement processes within the Coast Guard.

This was a good development, but as recent Government Accountability Office reports note, it is not enough.

GAO found that the current contracts are not in full compliance with the Department of Homeland Security's acquisition directives.

Additionally, GAO found that critical logistical support plans have not been completed.

Logistical support plans are necessary for the Coast Guard to understand the out-year costs associated with the new cutters.

If enacted, H.R. 1665 can help steer the Deepwater program on the right course.

Specifically, the bill revises the Coast Guard acquisition policy by mandating the development and regular updating of life-cycle cost estimates and a master plan for testing and evaluation.

The bill also requires ``full and open competition'' for any acquisition contract, unless otherwise excepted under Federal acquisition laws and regulations.

Lastly, the bill establishes a Chief Acquisition Officer and requires that program managers for certain acquisitions hold a specified acquisition certification.

These important reforms to the acquisitions process at the Coast Guard will not only ensure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely but that the Coast Guard has the assets it needs to continue to fulfill all its critical missions.

I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1665.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the life and legacy of National Football League star quarterback Steve McNair.

McNair played college football at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi where he won the 1994 Walter Payton Award as the top player in NCAA Division I-AA. McNair's college career became the stuff of legend, a true story of the all-conquering hero. As a mere freshman, McNair set nine records and was named Southwestern Athletic Conference player of the year. In his sophomore year, he led the nation in total offense, average 405.7 yards per game. McNair racked up numerous 500- plus-passing-yard games, and many times he added another 100 yards rushing.

McNair was drafted third overall by the NFL's Houston Oilers in 1995. He became the Oilers' regular starting quarterback in 1997. At 22, he had become the Oilers' highest-paid player. Quarterbacks usually develop more gradually than other players their first season. In Tennessee, though, he started six games over the prior two seasons in Houston, and remained the starting quarterback for the Titans until 2005. As the steady starter at quarterback, McNair steadily accrued impressive stats on third-down conversions and pass completions, touchdowns per starts, and rushing, among others. In the 1997 season, for example, his 674 yards rushing was the third-highest for a quarterback in NFL history. By the end of that season, McNair had garnered the second-best overall rating of any quarterback drafted in the previous six years from that point on McNair had become one of the league's best quarterbacks. At the end of the 1998 season, the Titans-- the Oilers' new name--had placed second in the AFC Central. In 1999 McNair led to the Titans to an AFC championship. When he took the field as the starting quarterback against the St. Louis Rams, he became just the second black quarterback to start in the Super Bowl. Though the Titans lost the game to the Rams, McNair's strong performance did not go unnoticed around the league, where McNair was considered a rising star. The Titans signed McNair to a six-year, $47 million contract extension in July of 2001.

After the 2005 season, McNair was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, with whom he played for two seasons before retiring after 13 NFL seasons. McNair led the Titans to the playoffs four times and the Ravens once, and played in Super Bowl XXXIV with the Titans. He is the Titans' all-time leading passer. McNair was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, and was All-Pro and Co-MVP in 2003.

The contributions Steve McNair made to college and professional football will never be forgotten. He touched the lives of many people on and off the field. Steve McNair will truly be missed by his community and colleagues throughout the country.

Please join me today in honoring the remarkable life of Steve McNair.

Under clause 2 of rule XII, bills and reports were delivered to the Clerk for printing, and bills referred as follows:

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi: Committee on Homeland

Security. H.R. 2868. A bill to amend the Homeland Security

Act of 2002 to extend, modify, and recodify the authority of

the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance security and

protect against acts of terrorism against chemical

facilities, and for other purposes; with an amendment (Rept.

111-205 Pt. 1); referred to the Committee on Judiciary for a

period ending not later than July 31, 2009, for consideration

of such provisions of the bill and the amendment as fall

within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause

1(k), rule X.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 498, which honors and congratulates the U.S. Border Patrol on its 85th anniversary.

Much has changed since 1924, when Congress formally established the U.S. Border Patrol and charged just 450 officers with securing our Nation's borders.

Today, more than 18,000 Border Patrol agents patrol 8,000 miles of international borders with Mexico, Canada and the coastal waters around Florida and Puerto Rico.

Previously, the Border Patrol was responsible only for stopping illegal aliens and contraband from crossing our borders--an enormous challenge on its own.

But in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Border Patrol's mission was expanded to include preventing terrorists and their instruments from entering the United States.

One thing has not changed in the last 85 years, however.

The men and women of the Border Patrol continue to risk their lives serving the American public with vigilance, integrity and professionalism.

As Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I have been to our borders and seen firsthand Border Patrol agents serving our Nation, often under very difficult conditions.

That is why I am pleased to support this resolution, in honor of all those helping to secure America's borders today and throughout the Border Patrol's 85-year history.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would thank the gentleman from New Mexico, Mr. Teague, for authoring H. Res. 498.

His congressional district includes Artesia, New Mexico, home to the Border Patrol Academy, where thousands of new Border Patrol agents have been trained.

Mr. Teague's constituents are fortunate to have a strong advocate for that fine facility and for the Border Patrol as an organization.

Again, I urge all of my colleagues to support this very worthy resolution, and join in honoring and congratulating the U.S. Border Patrol on its 85th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the rule for the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act, H.R. 2200. I would also like to thank my colleague, Mr. Perlmutter from Colorado, who until this session was a member of that committee and is eminently qualified to talk about homeland security issues.

As I stated, this rule reflects a bipartisan rule process in which more than half of the proposed amendments were made in order. And more than half of the amendments, Mr. Speaker, that we are considering today are sponsored by my Republican colleagues.

H.R. 2200 is the first authorization bill for all of the Transportation Security Administration since TSA was established in 2001. It authorizes over $15.6 billion in appropriations to the Transportation Security Administration for fiscal year 2010 and 2011.

The product of months of bipartisan negotiations, H.R. 2200 was drafted with significant contributions from both Democratic and Republican members of the committee, industry stakeholders, labor representatives, the Government Accountability Office, and the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General's office.

With the change in administration, TSA is at a crossroads. It has to decide how to allocate its resources going forward and who it wants to be.

For the first 8 years, TSA acted like the Aviation Security Administration more than a Transportation Security Administration. This bill takes important steps to bring greater resources and support for the much-neglected surface transportation security mission.

On the aviation side, this bill greatly improves aviation security, and not

only commercial aviation but also general aviation. Specifically, the bill establishes an Aviation Security Advisory Committee, an Air Cargo Working Group, and a General Aviation Security Working Group to ensure robust and meaningful stakeholder input.

Also, Mr. Speaker, in the area of general aviation, the bill authorizes $10 million for a new grant program to enhance perimeter security, airfield security, and terminal security at general aviation facilities. And I fully support and believe this provision will be strengthened even more with the passage of an amendment that the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake) is expected to offer. It will require the issuance of these grants to be competitive and risk-based. The allocation of scarce Federal funds, specifically those from TSA, should be based on risk. Section 102 of the bill actually requires TSA to report to Congress on the extent to which it is allocating transportation security resources on the basis of risk.

The bill, Mr. Speaker, also is forward-looking and makes great strides, most notably with respect to biometrics. During the recess, I had the opportunity to observe how other countries are using biometric technology to increase security. I strongly believe that greater deployment of biometric equipment can help to address some of our most vexing security challenges. This is why I am pleased to include a provision authorizing the development of a biometric system for law enforcement officers who fly armed.

This bill, Mr. Speaker, also includes provisions on the Registered Traveler and Transportation Worker Identification Credential programs, TSA's two main biometric programs.

Another amendment that the rule makes in order is sponsored by my good friend from North Carolina, Mr. Butterfield. The amendment would enhance the underlying bill by adding facial and iris recognition to TSA's biometric toolbox.

On the surface transportation side, this bill enhances surface transportation security by authorizing a tripling of funding over fiscal year 2009. These new resources would help support a newly created Surface Transportation Security Inspection Office. This office would be responsible for training and managing inspectors that work in the field and assist surface transportation operators with security inspections.

Additionally, Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes 300 more surface transportation security inspectors over the next 2 years and Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response Teams, called VIPER teams, to do security operations in mass transit and other surface systems.

Thank you, Mr. Perlmutter.

H.R. 2200 also authorizes the creation of a Transit Security Advisory Committee, or TSAC, a Passenger Carrier Security Working Group, and a Freight Rail Security Working Group to provide robust stakeholder input to TSA on security policies that impact this sector. Given TSA's limited experience in this sector, I would expect it to be relying heavily on these groups.

Another major provision that I was particularly pleased to include would streamline the security licensing for truckers. Ms. Jackson-Lee, lead sponsor of this bill, and I have been working with our committee colleague, Mr. Lungren, for years on this issue, and finally we have a vehicle to move key provisions in the SAFE Trucker Act. These provisions address redundant background security checks which we have learned are draining of financial resources on transportation workers.

I'm committed to marking up H.R. 1881, the Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act of 2009, later this summer, which will provide collective bargaining rights for the TSA workforce. To me, the unfinished business of the 9/11 Act was the granting of these rights to the men and women who are the backbone of TSA. I'm hopeful that these changes in the White House and at the front office at DHS will ensure that we are successful this time around.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 2200.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of H.R. 2200, the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act. This legislation is a product of months of negotiations, and includes significant contribution from Republicans, industry stakeholders, labor, the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General.

I want to recognize the bipartisan efforts of my colleagues on the committee, most especially, Ms. Jackson-Lee, the chair, and Mr. Dent, the ranking member. They worked hard to produce a thorough, comprehensive, well-considered bill.

H.R. 2200 is the first measure to come to the House floor that fully authorizes the Transportation Security Administration since its establishment in 2001. Since that time, TSA has made significant strides and rolled out several important programs to address security challenges. As a result, today our transportation systems are more secure than they were on September 11, 2001. However, they are not as secure as they need to be.

With the change in administrations, TSA is at a critical crossroads in its 8-year history. H.R. 2200 steers TSA on a course to becoming an effective agency that works to enhance security in all our transportation sectors, partners with key stakeholders, and does a better job of utilizing technology to address gaps in security.

Mr. Chairman, this bill fulfills our constitutional responsibility to provide a thorough road map to TSA on where it should go the next 2 years. H.R. 2200 authorizes $15.6 billion for TSA for fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011. With these resources, the bill directs TSA, for the first time, to work to achieve greater parity between security efforts to protect aviation and surface transportation systems.

In the past few years, attacks on rail stations worldwide have underscored the vulnerabilities to these systems. In response, H.R. 2200 triples funding for surface transportation over what was provided in fiscal year 2009, and authorizes 300 more surface transportation inspectors.

Among its key provisions is the creation of a Transit Security Advisory Committee to provide greater stakeholder input and a Surface Transportation Security Inspection Office to train and manage inspectors.

The bill also strengthens security training for transportation security officers, flight attendants, all cargo pilots, surface transportation workers, and Federal flight deck officers.

I'm particularly pleased that we were able to include provisions to enhance flight attendants' training and reimbursement for pilots participating in Federal flight deck officers recurrent training.

To bolster airport security and screening, H.R. 2200 authorizes a demonstration project and plan for the implementation of a secure verification system for law enforcement officers flying while armed.

Further, it directs TSA to develop a strategic risk-based plan to enhance security of airport perimeter access controls and a demonstration program for biometric-based access control systems.

For too long we've been told that the wide-scale deployment of biometrics is too difficult and impractical. But just last week, Mr. Chairman, I saw biometrics, including readers, in use in Argentina at a port and a federal building. This bill embraces the promise of this and other 21st-century technologies to address our security challenges.

Additionally, there are a number of other noteworthy provisions that grew out of extensive committee oversight that covers such programs as Registered Traveler, Secure Flight, and the TWIC program.

For example, the bill directs DHS to work with port operators to help workers who are waiting for TWIC cards to be escorted so they can continue to work. The TWIC provision also puts in place strict timelines and flexibility on how cards are transmitted.

A key theme that runs throughout the bill is greater stakeholder participation.

The Aviation Security Advisory Committee is codified in this bill. So, too, is the Air Cargo and General Aviation Working Groups.

General aviation, in particular, gets a great deal of attention in this bill. Members from both sides of the aisle have expressed serious concern about TSA's approach when it comes to general aviation. Until recently, TSA displayed a lack of understanding of the uniqueness of the general aviation environment. H.R. 2200 takes some major steps forward, with the authorization of a strong General Aviation Working Group and the establishment of a new grant program for security improvements to general aviation airports.

Finally, H.R. 2200 makes key improvements to air cargo and checked baggage security. Specifically, H.R. 2200 eliminates the use of bag match as an alternative means of checked baggage screening.

It also directs TSA to develop a process to consider reimbursement claims by airports who invested in in-line explosive detection equipment on a promise that TSA would defray the costs.

With respect to air cargo, it requires TSA to report on the status of the Certified Cargo Screening Program.

TSA, Mr. Chairman, has testified that the 100 percent screening requirement for passenger planes will not be

achieved by 2010 because TSA has had to expend extensive resources on trying to negotiate international agreements with foreign authorities on inbound international cargo. TSA, as a domestic security agency, lacks jurisdiction or expertise to negotiate such agreements. Achievement of this requirement is, therefore, dependent upon assistance from CBP, the State Department and others, and, most specifically, foreign governments.

To ensure that TSA meets the statutory 100 percent screening requirement, section 201 of the bill gives TSA up to 2 more years to negotiate agreements on inbound international cargo. Enactment of H.R. 2200, therefore, will help TSA put needed focus on working to meet mandates for screening all cargo transported between U.S. airports on passenger planes, whether originating in the U.S. or abroad.

This provision in no way eliminates the 100 percent screening requirement. Instead, it sets TSA up for success and is responsive to the real-world challenges of implementing the mandate in jurisdictions where TSA has no jurisdiction.

Mr. Chairman, I look forward to our work today, and I encourage my colleagues to pass H.R. 2200 in a swift, bipartisan fashion in order to better ensure the security of all Americans.

Mr. Chairman, I submit for the Record exchanges of letters on this legislation.

Mr. Chair, I rise to address concerns put forth in the Minority Views section of the Committee Report for H.R. 2200. Specifically, I want to address the Minority's assertion that the Majority rejected consideration of proposed amendments during committee consideration of the bill.

As is its custom, the Committee used a roster for amendments during both full and subcommittee consideration of the TSA Authorization bill. Each amendment submitted to be placed on the roster was considered by the Committee unless the sponsor decided to withdraw it from consideration.

Each of the twenty amendments filed prior to the Full Committee markup were placed on the roster for Committee consideration. Of the twenty amendments filed, thirteen were sponsored by Minority Members. All but two of the thirteen amendments filed for the roster by Minority Members were offered. Of the eleven amendments offered by Minority Members for committee consideration, eight were agreed to and included in the reported version of the bill.

H.R. 2200, the TSA Authorization Act, is the product of months of bi- partisan cooperation and negotiations. Provisions proposed by the Minority were included in the bill at each and every stage of its consideration. Contrary to the assertion in the Minority Views, at no point during Committee consideration did the Majority prevent the Minority from putting forth amendments for consideration.

In closing, I would remind the Chair that the Committee on Homeland Security has a strong record of working in a bi-partisan fashion to ensure sound homeland security legislation is put before the House. As Chairman, I am committed to ensuring that practice continues.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Homeland Security,

Washington, DC, May 15, 2009.

Hon. Bart Gordon,

Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, Washington,

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time each side has remaining?

Mr. Chairman, I'm happy to recognize the vice chair of the full committee for 2 minutes, Ms. Sanchez, for a colloquy.

I yield an additional 30 seconds to respond.

I appreciate the gentlewoman from California's leadership on this critical issue. I share her concerns about the impact that applications backlogs has had on port workers around the Nation and appreciate the comprehensive approach she has taken to addressing the weaknesses in the program that she has identified through her oversight work on the committee and look forward to solving the problem.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Paterson, New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Let me say that I appreciate the gentleman from Alaska bringing this to my attention. This is a novel issue for us, but I believe there could be some efficiencies in making the change. I'm pleased to work with you on this issue as the bill moves to conference.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).

Mr. Chairman, I recognize for 1\1/2\ minutes the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for the purposes of a colloquy.

I can assure the gentleman--and I thank him for his concerns--that the committee will work with TSA in conducting appropriate and periodic reviews of prohibited items. Your graphic display of those prohibited items speaks volumes as to why this review should occur.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished chairwoman of the subcommittee, who also is the author of this legislation, the gentlewoman from Houston, Texas (Ms. Jackson- Lee).

Mr. Chairman, I yield the gentlewoman an additional 2 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentleman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Houston, Texas (Mr. Al Green).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

At this point, I'll take it in two phases.

There are some obvious misunderstandings of this legislation.

I thank the gentleman for yielding the time.

If you read the legislation, it talks about those detainees from Gitmo being on the No Fly List. So I don't know what is it we can do to solve the issue other than to refer people to page 87 of House bill 2200 and you can see--and we don't have a disagreement.

But that has nothing to do with the legislation before us today.

I agree with you. If those individuals have been captured who have been released, then the procedure automatically places them on the No Fly List. There is no question.

As to how many there are, I don't know. But, again, I say to my colleague from Texas, there is no real debate on the issue of being on the No Fly List.

I would like to acknowledge and recognize the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) for 1 minute to make another attempt to clarify for this body the issue around Gitmo and detainees on the No Fly List.

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time is remaining?

Mr. Chair, I recognize the gentlelady from California (Ms. Richardson) for 1 minute.

Mr. Chair, I recognize the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Lowey) for 1 minute.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of the time.

In closing, I would emphasize the importance of passing the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act. This bill is the first comprehensive authorization bill for TSA since its creation in 2001. It is the product of extensive bipartisan negotiation and reflects input from GAO, DHS, IG and oversight conducted by the Committee on Homeland Security. It makes major investments in surface transportation and triples the overall funding for TSA activities.

Mr. Chairman, let me for the record say that there are 239 detainees presently housed at Gitmo. Under this legislation, all those individuals, if they were found innocent or guilty, will go on the No Fly List. So there is no question about the intent of this legislation to put those individuals on the No Fly List.

Apart from that, this is a good bill, and I urge its adoption.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer my manager's amendment which makes a few perfecting changes to H.R. 2200, the Transportation Security Administration authorization bill. My amendment helps make the bill even more comprehensive by addressing five areas.

First, in the area of public transportation security assistance, my amendment improves the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Grant Program by streamlining the award process. My amendment ensures accountability and transparency by requiring annual reports from TSA on the status of outstanding grant awards. It was developed in response to concerns expressed by public transportation agencies about when the clock should start ticking on the grant performance period. Under my amendment, it doesn't begin until grantees are actually able to access their awards. Additionally, this amendment would prohibit cost sharing for transportation security grants to ensure that grants are awarded efficiently and fairly. It also provides public transportation agencies with the tools and support they need to conduct comprehensive risk assessments in order to better secure their systems.

Second, Mr. Chair, this amendment tackles the question of whether TSA needs to be reorganized to get TSA away from behaving like the Aviation Security Administration. Specifically, it requires an honest assessment of creating two equal positions at the deputy assistant secretary level, one for surface transportation security and one for aviation security. It also articulates a sense of congress that the creation of a deputy assistant secretary for surface transportation security will provide the focused leadership and resource management necessary to secure surface transportation in a manner commensurate with aviation security.

Third, in the area of pipeline security, the amendment contains a provision offered at the markup by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis). This provision instructs the Comptroller General to study the roles and responsibilities of DHS and the Department of Transportation with respect to pipeline security in order to better secure our pipelines against intentional breaches.

Fourth, Mr. Chair, regarding workforce improvement, the amendment instructs the DHS Secretary to study the feasibility and merits of establishing a centralized advanced aviation training facility.

Finally, Mr. Chair, the amendment contains a provision to address the special needs of travelers with artificial metal implants.

The amendment contains a provision requiring TSA to establish a program to screen passengers with metal implants.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment that makes key improvements to an already robust security bill.

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

Mr. Chairman, as you have heard, my amendment helps to strengthen the underlying bill and addresses the issues of interest to my colleague. I urge its adoption.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon for the purpose of opposition debate.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Oregon.

I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, while not in opposition to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my colleague's amendment requiring TSA to establish expedited screening protocols for passengers with a Top Secret Security Clearance.

This amendment enhances section 234 by requiring TSA to establish special protocols for individuals in the Registered Traveler Program who possess a valid Top Secret Security Clearance issued by the Federal Government.

These individuals have access to some of the most sensitive secrets this country has. TSA should be able to figure out how to adopt a screening system to take into account that these passengers are well- known to the Federal Government, have this special status and, as added layers of security, are traveling with a biometric card that confirms their identity.

I'm pleased that Mr. Mica worked with me to fine-tune this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim time in opposition.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to support the amendment offered by the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus). It directs TSA to craft special security screening protocols for men and women of the Armed Forces.

All of us have been in airports. We've seen our men and women returning subject to all kinds of searches. It is absolutely important that we say thank you for putting themselves in harm's way. And I support 100 percent the directive requiring TSA to set up a protocol to recognize their value to the country.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, this is a classic example of a commonsense amendment. There is no reason why some airports should be reimbursed at 90 percent and others at 75 percent. This corrects that inequity. We support it.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chair, I'm pleased to support this amendment which reaffirms that grants awarded to general aviation airports under this bill are done so through a competitive process.

Mr. Flake's amendment, based on the competition and the risk, is the right thing to do. I support the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.