Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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

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