Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, over the past 4 months, the Islamic State has carried out two deadly terrorist attacks at airports. Taken together, these two attacks--one at Brussels Airport and one at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport--resulted in more than 500 injuries and more than 70 deaths.

Since September 11, airport security efforts have emphasized securing aircraft against hijackings, but the Brussels and Istanbul bombings highlight other airport security vulnerabilities. As these attacks demonstrate, it is not just planes that are vulnerable. Both the Brussels and Istanbul attacks sought to exploit the largely unprotected areas outside the principal security checkpoints where the attackers could detonate bombs outside of screening. The large crowds of people who congregate in nonsecured areas of an airport--like security checkpoints, check-in counters, and baggage claim--make appealing targets for terrorists who like nothing better than maximum loss of life with minimum effort.

This week, the Senate will take up the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, which will directly address the vulnerabilities exposed by these attacks. It will ensure that attacks like those that happened in Brussels and Istanbul don't happen at American airports.

While this bill has gained new urgency in the wake of the bombings in Istanbul and Brussels, the reforms in this bill are not a hasty response to these attacks. Instead, they are the product of months of Commerce Committee oversight of our Nation's transportation safety agencies and extensive Commerce Committee analysis of airport security vulnerabilities.

I am proud that the bill we are considering today is the most significant airport security reform bill that Congress has considered in a decade. As I have already mentioned, one problem that the Brussels and Istanbul attacks highlighted in great detail is the tempting terrorist target offered by large crowds of people in unsecured areas of airports. The FAA bill addresses that problem in a number of ways. For starters, this bill includes provisions to get more Americans enrolled in the TSA's PreCheck program. Expanding enrollment in PreCheck will reduce wait times at security, which will help reduce the size of crowds waiting in unsecured areas.

The bill also directs the TSA to more effectively deploy its personnel during high-volume travel times to speed up wait time at checkpoints. It also requires the TSA to develop and test new security systems that expedite the movement of passengers through security. Another important measure we can take to prevent attacks like those in Brussels and Istanbul is increasing the security presence in unsecured areas of airports.

The FAA bill adds more prevention and response security teams, which often include K-9 units, and expands training for local airport security personnel so the airports are better able to deter or respond to bombers or active shooter threats. Increasing security at our Nation's airports and expediting security checks will go a long way toward preventing terrorist attacks, but threats at U.S. airports are not only threats facing U.S. airline passengers. Americans travel internationally on a regular basis, and on their return flights they depend on the quality of airport security in other countries. Part of protecting the traveling public is making sure that Americans traveling to other countries are safe when they return to the United States.

To increase security for Americans traveling abroad, the FAA bill that we will pass this week authorizes the TSA to donate unneeded screening equipment to foreign airports with direct flights to the United States. It will strengthen cooperation between U.S. security officials and security officials in other countries and authorize the TSA to support training for foreign airport security personnel. It requires the TSA to conduct assessments of security that have received less attention at foreign airports and foreign cargo security programs.

Another aspect of airport security that has received less attention but is equally important is the need to make sure that individuals who work behind the scenes at airports don't pose a threat. In October of 2015, terrorists killed 224 people when they brought down Russian Metrojet flight 9268 shortly after it departed Sharm el-Sheikh airport in Egypt. Many experts believe that the terrorists responsible had help from an airport worker. Ensuring that airport workers are trustworthy is essential to keeping passengers safe. However, at times the security badges that permit individuals to work behind the scenes at airports have been issued to individuals who have no business holding them. Right now in the United States individuals with convictions for crimes, including embezzlement, sabotage, racketeering, immigration violations, and assault with a deadly weapon can all obtain security badges granting them access to restricted sections of an airport.

While most criminals are not terrorists, there are too many criminals who, for the right price, would happily expand their criminal activities even if it involved assisting terrorists. In fact, in March of this year, an airline ramp agent was arrested in a Florida airport with $282,400 in cash that he allegedly intended to hand off to an unknown individual. News reports indicated that he was aware the money was connected to illegal activity but knew little else. In other words, he could easily have been transporting money to terrorists without being any the wiser.

The FAA bill that we will pass this week tightens vetting of anyone with access to secure areas of an airport and expands the list of criminal convictions that could disqualify someone from holding a security badge. This bill also provides for an increase in random searches of behind-the-scenes airport workers who are not always subject to security screening the way passengers are.

I am very proud of everything this FAA bill achieves in terms of security. This is the most comprehensive airport security package in a decade, and it will help us make real progress toward keeping airline passengers safer, and that is not all.

In addition to its robust security package, this bill puts in place a number of other important measures, among them new consumer protections. For example, this legislation will require airlines to refund package fees for lost or unreasonably delayed baggage so passengers will not have to spend a ton of time tracking down a refund when the airline doesn't deliver. It will also make sure airlines have policies that will help families traveling with children sit together on flights. It also takes steps to improve air travel for individuals with disabilities, and it ensures that Americans in rural areas will continue to have access to reliable air service.

The bill also takes measures to support the general aviation community. It streamlines the requirements for the third-class medical certificate for noncommercial pilots so private pilots don't face unnecessary bureaucracy when obtaining their medical qualification, and to reduce the risk of accidents for low-altitude fliers like agricultural applications, the bill requires highly visible markings on small towers that could impose a hazard to pilots.

On the aviation safety front, this bill updates current law to reflect the rapid advances in technology we have seen over the last few years--most notably drones. This bill includes provisions to deploy technology that will work to keep drones out of the path of airliners, which is particularly important given reports of near-miss collisions by airline pilots. It will also deter drone operators from interfering with emergency response efforts like wildfire suppression, and, in addition to fostering drone safety, this bill authorizes expanded research opportunities and operations that will further the integration of drones into our Nation's airspace.

Since we took control of the Senate in January of 2015, Republicans have focused on passing legislation to address the challenges facing the American people in our country. I am proud that with this bill, we have found a way to make our increasingly dangerous world a little safer for Americans. I am grateful to my colleagues who contributed to this bill, particularly my Democratic counterpart in the conference committee, Senator Nelson.

Senator Ayotte also led numerous subcommittee hearings in the Aviation Subcommittee to get the bill on a path to success, and both of us appreciate the contributions of Senator Cantwell, our Aviation Subcommittee ranking member.

This bill is an example of what can happen when Democrats and Republicans work together to get things done for the American people. I look forward to sending our legislation to the President for his signature later this week. United States Appreciation for Olympians and Paralympians Bill

Mr. President, I also wish to speak for just a moment, if I can today, about a bill that hopefully will pass the Senate later today as well.

In just a few weeks, our Olympic athletes will head to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 2016 Olympic games. The following month, America's Paralympic athletes will compete in the Rio Paralympic games. These athletes represent what is best about our country. They embody the timeless values of hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship.

Our Olympic and Paralympic athletes--and their families--have made innumerable sacrifices over the many years of training it takes to become a world-class competitor. Training is not cheap, and the vast majority of our amateur athletes put it all on the line without the help of sponsors or endorsement deals to subsidize their expenses.

Many of these athletes have spent virtually their entire lives training for this moment, and I have absolutely no doubt these brave young men and women will represent our Nation with great honor and distinction.

America's Olympic and Paralympic medal winners, in particular, will be greeted with much enthusiasm and great appreciation upon their return. Local communities across America will find ways to honor their returning hometown heroes. Unfortunately, one of the ways the Federal Government will welcome home our Olympic and Paralympic champions is by greeting them with a new tax bill. That is right. The Internal Revenue Service considers these medals to be income and will tax the value of any gold, silver, or bronze medal awarded in competition as well as any incentive award our athletes receive from the U.S. Olympic Committee.

I believe this tax penalty on our Olympic heroes is wrong, and that is why earlier this year I introduced S. 2650, the United States Appreciation for Olympians and Paralympians Act.

This legislation--introduced with Senators Schumer, Gardner, Gillibrand, and Isakson--would ensure that America rewards the sacrifice and hard work of Team USA by exempting from Federal tax the medals and cash prizes they win at the Olympics and Paralympics.

I am pleased my legislation will pass the Senate later today, sending a strong signal to our athletes as they depart to the 2016 games that their Nation stands behind them. I urge the House of Representatives to take up and pass this legislation before the House adjourns for the August recess.

America's Olympic and Paralympic athletes deserve not only our admiration and respect but also a tax system that acknowledges the many years of training and sacrifice they have endured. Because training for the Olympics is not considered a business enterprise, our athletes cannot deduct the substantial costs they incur over the years as they prepare to represent America on the world stage.

Most countries not only compensate their athletes but also subsidize their training expenses with taxpayer dollars. Our athletes make considerable financial sacrifices to train for the Olympics and Paralympics and as amateurs receive no compensation for their training. The very least we can do is ensure they don't receive a tax penalty when they successfully represent our Nation in the highest level of athletic competition.

Simply put, when it comes to our victorious Olympic and Paralympic athletes, we should celebrate their achievements rather than tax their success. Congratulating Paige McPherson

Mr. President, I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations and best wishes to one of Team USA's shining stars; that is, South Dakota's own Paige McPherson.

Paige grew up in Sturgis, SD, graduating from Black Hills Classical Christian Academy in 2009. She will be competing in Taekwondo at the Rio games and will be striving for her second medal in a row, after claiming a bronze medal at the London Olympic Games in 2012.

I know Paige will represent America--and South Dakota--with great distinction next month, as will all of our Olympic and Paralympic competitors.

I wish to thank the original cosponsors of my legislation, whom I mentioned earlier, as well as Finance Committee Chairman Hatch and Senators Sullivan and Moran for their support. I look forward to seeing our legislation enacted into law this year, and I wish all of our Olympians and Paralympians the very best of luck in Rio.

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