Trusted Traveler Reconsideration and Restoration Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3675) to require a review of Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler programs, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3675

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 ``Trusted Traveler Reconsideration and Restoration Act of 2019''. SEC. 2. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler programs. Such review shall examine the following:

(1) The extent to which the Department of Homeland Security tracks data and monitors trends related to trusted traveler programs, including root causes for identity-matching errors resulting in an individual's enrollment in a trusted traveler program being reinstated.

(2) Whether the Department coordinates with the heads of other relevant Federal, State, local, Tribal, or territorial entities regarding redress procedures for disqualifying offenses not covered by the Department's own redress processes but which offenses impact an individual's enrollment in a trusted traveler program.

(3) How the Department may improve individuals' access to reconsideration procedures regarding a disqualifying offense for enrollment in a trusted traveler program that requires the involvement of any other Federal, State, local, Tribal, or territorial entity.

(4) The extent to which travelers are informed about reconsideration procedures regarding enrollment in a trusted traveler program. SEC. 3. ENROLLMENT REDRESS.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, with respect to an individual whose enrollment in a trusted traveler program was revoked in error extend by an amount of time equal to the period of revocation the period of active enrollment in such a program upon re-enrollment in such a program by such an individual.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3675, the Trusted Traveler Reconsideration and Restoration Act of 2019.

Millions of people have applied for a variety of DHS Trusted Traveler Programs such as TSA's PreCheck program and CBP's Global Entry, Nexus, Sentri, and FAST programs.

Once approved, enrollment in these programs allows travelers to go through expedited screening while allowing DHS officers to focus on higher risk travelers.

While I commend DHS for taking steps to focus on high-risk travelers, I am troubled by examples of travelers who meet all the security requirements for enrollment but are unable to enroll.

Misidentification or misinformation impairs DHS' ability to appropriately make determinations on eligibility and limits the public's willingness to participate in these programs.

This bill seeks to strengthen the DHS Trusted Traveler Programs by requiring the GAO to conduct a study of them. Specifically, the bill requires GAO to evaluate the identity matching process as well as the redress process for individuals who believe they have been wrongly disqualified from these programs.

Such a review will help ensure that the Trusted Traveler Programs are working more efficiently and that individuals seeking to participate are subject to consistent processes that ensure fair treatment for all.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank Mr. Katko for his leadership on this measure.

I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from Tennessee closes.

Mr. Speaker, our citizens expect that DHS' Trusted Traveler Programs are operated in a consistent manner and that DHS properly identifies those individuals that are low-risk travelers.

This bill will provide insight into DHS' identity matching process and ensure that individuals seeking to participate are subject to consistent processes that ensure fair treatment.

We also want DHS to focus its time and resources on individuals who are high risk. This bill will ensure that the programs that DHS uses to vet individuals are executed effectively.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko) for introducing this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the bill's passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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