Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 5089, the Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2018.

Mr. Speaker, in 2013, my home airport, Los Angeles International Airport, came under attack when a gunman opened fire at a TSA security checkpoint, killing TSA Officer Gerardo Hernandez and injuring many others.

This shooting was just one of several recent attacks on relatively soft targets such as public airport areas and surface transportation systems.

In the wake of the shooting at LAX, Congress passed the Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2015, which made several important security improvements, including directing airports in high-risk surface transportation systems to install incident response plans and requiring TSA to provide active-shooter training to all of its screening personnel. Now, over 2 years later, it is time to take the next step in improving security for these soft targets. Enactment of my bill, H.R. 5089, is that next step. H.R. 5089 is focused on enhancing the capabilities of local transportation security stakeholders to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks and other serious incidents.

State and local stakeholders, including transit system owners and operators and law enforcement agencies, play a significant role in securing surface transportation systems against threats; yet many stakeholders cite a lack of sufficient information from TSA and the Federal Government to adequately prepare for these threats.

The Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2018 requires DHS to prioritize the assignment of officers and intelligence analysts to fusion centers in jurisdictions with a high- risk surface transportation asset, thus improving information sharing.

Further, it directs TSA to make a framework available to stakeholders for establishing operation centers responsible for overseeing daily operations of transportation facilities, allowing for improved communications.

Finally, it authorizes DHS to develop a training program through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies operating at surface transportation assets.

Taken together, the provisions build upon previous efforts to secure our transportation systems by enhancing protection, preparedness, and response capabilities of State and local partners working to protect these critical systems.

Mr. Speaker, the shooting at LAX, along with attacks on surface transportation systems and public airport areas in New Orleans, Fort Lauderdale, New York City, and overseas have proven that acts of terror are not limited to the aviation sector. To effectively address threats to surface transportation systems, State and local stakeholders must be able to communicate not only with TSA and the Federal Government, but amongst themselves during an incident. My bill seeks to bridge potential gaps in communication and coordination capabilities.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5089, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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