Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN.

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

Mr. Speaker, it has been over 16 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Since that time, our transportation security systems have evolved in a number of ways, from the creation of the TSA to the hardening of cockpit doors. An important change to security has been the evolution of the Federal Air Marshal Service. Federal air marshals are armed law enforcement officers who are deployed on domestic and international passenger flights to protect passengers and crew against terrorist attacks.

On 9/11, the FAA employed a small number of Federal air marshals to serve as in-flight security on a small percentage of flights. After 9/ 11, the Federal Air Marshal Service expanded rapidly; and, in 2005, it was transferred to the TSA, where it operates today.

Today, air marshals contribute to aviation security by deploying on many domestic and international flights. They also help secure surface transportation systems and public airport areas as major participants in the TSA's Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response--or VIPR-- teams.

To ensure the continued effectiveness of the air marshals, H.R. 4467 requires the TSA to ensure that officers are deployed in a risk-based manner that is focused on maximizing effectiveness. As amended, the bill also ensures risk-based seating of air marshals on passenger aircraft to enable officers to respond effectively to security threats.

This is a sensible bill to improve aviation security, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. Speaker, the threats to aviation continue to require constant vigilance and effective security solutions.

The Federal Air Marshal Service does not have unlimited budgetary resources to deploy marshals on every passenger flight. As such, resources must be allocated based on risk. H.R. 4467 will help ensure that the TSA does just that, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, this bill makes total sense. If you are going to use Federal air marshals where they are needed most, it should be analytical and scientific-based so that we get the most bang for the buck.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source