OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Covert Testing and Risk Mitigation Improvement Act of 2019

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 9, 2019
Location: Washington, DC


Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3469, the Covert Testing and Risk Mitigation Improvement Act of 2019, sponsored by our late colleague, the greatly admired Elijah Cummings.

H.R. 3469 responds to identified gaps in the covert testing conducted by the Transportation Security Administration on aviation security concerns. It is critical that our bipartisan congressional oversight be aimed at improving the security of the traveling public and the effectiveness of TSA operations.

This legislation not only requires TSA to develop a system for conducting risk-informed covert tests but also holds TSA accountable for retesting and risk mitigation efforts. The traveling public deserves the most effective security, and I support the efforts of H.R. 3469 to improve the public's confidence in aviation security.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill and honor the legacy of leadership left by Chairman Cummings.

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from Louisiana closes.

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Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make the congresswoman from New York, my colleague, aware that I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CLARKE of New York.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that the threats to our Nation's transportation security are real. We also know that, as the main Federal agency responsible for the security of our transportation system, TSA has a critical mission for identifying and mitigating such threats. To be effective, TSA must have a risk-informed covert testing regime that allows it to do effective oversight of its security operations.

H.R. 3469 would improve TSA's testing programs to ensure they can identify vulnerabilities to the transportation system and properly address them to keep our Nation safe.

Mr. Speaker, as such, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, H.R. 3469, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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