TSA Reaching Across Nationalities, Societies, and Languages to Advance Traveler Education Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3691) to require the TSA to develop a plan to ensure that TSA material disseminated in major airports can be better understood by more people accessing such airports, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3691

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``TSA Reaching Across Nationalities, Societies, and Languages to Advance Traveler Education Act'' or the ``TRANSLATE Act''. SEC. 2. PLAN.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a plan to ensure that TSA material disseminated in major airports can be better understood by more people accessing such airports.

(b) Contents.--The plan required under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1) An identification of the most common languages other than English that are the primary languages of individuals that travel through or work in each major airport.

(2) A plan to improve--

(A) TSA materials to communicate information in languages identified pursuant to paragraph (1); and

(B) the communication of TSA material to individuals with vision or hearing impairments or other possible barriers to understanding such material.

(c) Considerations.--In developing the plan required under subsection (a), the Administrator of the TSA, acting through the Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement of the TSA, shall take into consideration data regarding the following:

(1) International enplanement.

(2) Local populations surrounding major airports.

(d) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the submission of the plan required under subsection (a), the Administrator of the TSA shall implement such plan.

(e) GAO Review.--Not later than one year after the implementation pursuant to subsection (d) of the plan required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a review of such implementation.

(f) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Airport.--The term ``airport'' has the meaning given such term in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.

(2) Major airports.--The term ``major airports'' means Category X and Category I airports.

(3) TSA material.--The term ``TSA material'' means signs, videos, audio messages, websites, press releases, social media postings, and other communications published and disseminated by the Administrator of the TSA in Category X and Category I airports.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3691, the TRANSLATE Act.

Throughout my travels, I get the opportunity to witness and meet families and visitors from numerous countries, cultures, and backgrounds traveling throughout our Nation's airports.

These families share many of the same experiences we all share when traveling using an airplane. They want to board their flights on time and land safely at their destination without undue delay or confusion.

Sadly, signs and other communications throughout our U.S. airports are not meeting the needs of all travelers. Many non-English speakers, international travelers, and people with vision or hearing impairments experience challenges during their travels because the current signage is not accessible to them.

According to the U.S. Census, over 65 million individuals living in the U.S. over the age of five speak English not well or not at all.

No one should have to worry about missing a flight because they don't speak English or have impaired vision or hearing.

This bill addresses this issue by requiring TSA to make signage, video, audio, and other online content more accessible to travelers at major airports who do not speak English as their primary language.

This bill will make TSA operations more effective and efficient by helping to prevent miscommunication between TSA officers and travelers.

Furthermore, this bill helps ensure that we maintain a standard of inclusivity at our airports for residents and visitors alike.

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Mr. CORREA. Titus).

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3691 will make traveling easier for millions of airline passengers traveling throughout the United States whose primary language is not English.

By creating signage that meets the needs of all travelers, this bill will improve the travel experience for many.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3691, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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