Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4467, the Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018.

Described by Chairman McCaul in his State of National Security Address as ``the crown jewel of ISIS and other terrorist groups,'' the American aviation industry remains a key target of terrorism.

The Transportation Security Administration has made great strides in securing commercial flights, but the threat of evolving terror tactics requires a comprehensive, multilateral approach informed by data collected from industry.

The TSA's risk management strategy for passenger aviation security is characterized by a multilayered approach, whereby the TSA deploys a variety of security countermeasures to detect and deter threats.

Federal air marshals, also known as FAMs, are armed law enforcement officers deployed on passenger flights as part of the TSA's comprehensive security strategy to protect air passengers and crews against criminals and terrorists.

Due to the high volume of passenger flights and limited resources at the TSA, it is imperative that FAM deployment is risk-based and strategic in order to achieve the greatest security value. However, a recent GAO report from September 2017 found that the TSA does not measure data on the efficacy and deterrence value of FAMs.

Without viable metrics, it is impossible for the TSA to truly employ a calculated risk management strategy for passenger aviation security. Accordingly, the Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018 requires the Federal Air Marshal Service to utilize risk-based strategies for international and domestic flight coverage.

This bill ensures that FAMs are deployed in a manner that adds strategic value to the TSA's multilayered security approach. As amended, the bill also requires the TSA to take their risk-based approach a step further by ensuring that FAMs are seated in tactical positions when deployed on the aircraft.

Strategic seating arrangements will provide FAMs with a distinct advantage in the event of a threat to aviation security and ensure that they are more relevant to the important mission for which they are tasked.

The Strengthening Aviation Security Act emphasizes the importance of intelligence-driven, risk-based decisions to make the best use of the Federal Air Marshal Service's resources and personnel.

I thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jody B. Hice) for authoring this legislation, as well the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Katko, for his work on this bill. Additionally, I wish to thank the chairman of the full committee, Mr. McCaul, for moving the bill through the committee process.

This bill will promote public confidence in the security of the Nation's aviation system and ensure that armed Federal law enforcement officers are deployed on passenger flights, where they are most needed.

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