Joe Walsh

I thank Chairman King.

Earlier this year, I introduced the No-Hassle Flying Act, legislation brought to our attention by the Transportation Security Administration. Senators Klobuchar from Minnesota and Blunt of Missouri introduced my original language in the Senate, and this is the bill we're considering today.

Over the past decade, TSA has classified 14 foreign airports as ``precleared'' for security purposes. These airports are routinely checked by TSA to ensure their screening procedures for both people and bags meet the high standards of the United States, and, as such, passengers originating from these airports and returning to the United States are not required to go through physical security checks again. Unfortunately, their bags are not excluded and must be rescanned and rechecked. If you've ever had to do this during a layover at Chicago O'Hare; Newark, New Jersey; or even Miami International, you know it's not an easy task, especially in the middle of the night.

The bill before us allows TSA to waive the baggage screening requirements as well. Giving TSA this kind of flexibility will allow them to free up time and resources to focus on higher-risk baggage and passengers and will also make traveling easier for those coming in and out of the United States.

I want to thank my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee-- especially Chairman King--and their staffs for the work they put into this bill, along with Senators Klobuchar and Blunt, and, of course, TSA for bringing this bill to our attention.

I urge all Members to vote in favor of this commonsense bipartisan bill.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4631) to amend title 5, United States Code, to institute spending limits and transparency requirements for Federal conference and travel expenditures, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

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

The Government Spending Accountability Act, or GSA Act, will end the days of unnecessary boondoggles and lavish trips for Federal bureaucrats.

I think we're all aware of GSA's recent escapades in Las Vegas where the agency paid more than $44 a head for breakfast, $7,000 in sushi at a networking reception, and $75,000 to build bicycles.

I think we can all agree that all of this spending is outrageous and unacceptable. We can't continue to ask hardworking taxpayers to tighten their belts and make tough decisions when for years the GSA and other Federal agencies have thrown away those taxpayer dollars on lavish conferences like this.

The days of wasting taxpayer dollars on fancy junkets for government bureaucrats should soon be over. I introduced the GSA Act because, as stewards of taxpayer dollars, it is our responsibility to ensure that they are not wasted on lavish conferences and posh junkets.

The GSA Act requires that every quarter Federal agencies publish an open report that details every conference for which the agency paid travel and expenses. The bill also limits the amount that an agency can spend on any one conference to $500,000 and on travel annually to 70 percent of the amount the agency spent on travel in 2010.

I would like to thank Chairman Issa, Ranking Member Cummings, and my friends across the aisle for joining me in this effort. The bipartisanship displayed here shows what Congress can accomplish when both parties come together to tackle reckless spending.

We need to come together to fix Washington and start cultivating some respect for hard-earned taxpayer dollars. The GSA Act will help change the culture of waste in Washington and put us on a path to a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren.

Please join me in standing up for taxpayers. I support this measure and urge its adoption.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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

I appreciate the concerns of my colleague, and I would only note that new technology, I think, has made it easier to teleconference and communicate remotely. This not only would save money, which is important, but it has already and will continue to increase the amount of collaboration.

I yield to the gentleman.

Reclaiming my time, again, I would say Congress, in today's day and age, where we hit $16 trillion in debt last week, Congress, like all institutions in this country, needs to figure out how to work more efficiently and save hard-earned taxpayer dollars.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 538) to require the establishment of customer service standards for Federal agencies, as amended.

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

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

Madam Speaker, the private sector has raised the bar for customer service, and citizens expect the same from their government.

The American people rely on Federal agencies to provide important services and information, but these agencies often fall short of providing the customer service taxpayers deserve. H.R. 538 ensures the Federal Government keeps pace with the public's expectations and delivers better value to the taxpayers.

Agencies currently have discretionary authority to include ``courtesy demonstrated to the public'' in employee performance appraisals and to reward superior performance. While some agencies have incorporated customer service standards in employee performance expectations, they do not always require good customer service to the public.

Under this bill, OMB and agencies will develop performance measures and standards for agency customer service, with employees at all levels held accountable for achieving results.

Taxpayers should have high expectations of government. Agencies must deliver services efficiently and at low cost. Federal employees must provide effective service to customers. H.R. 538 will help ensure agencies streamline service delivery and improve the customer experience.

CBO has said there are no costs associated with this bill and, in fact, any savings incurred are due to be put toward paying down the Federal deficit. The Oversight and Government Reform Committee worked on a bipartisan basis to advance this legislation. I supported it when it passed by voice vote in committee, and I urge its adoption today.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support me in support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.