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Rail And Public Transportation Security Act Of 2007

Floor Speech

Date: March 27, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Transportation


RAIL AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - March 27, 2007)

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Mr. CUELLAR. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I also thank Chairman Thompson for the strong leadership that he has shown on this bill. I also thank Mr. King for the bipartisan support that he has shown on this bill and with the committee.

I rise in support of H.R. 1401, the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007. H.R. 1401 is an important piece of legislation that takes steps to secure our Nation's railroads, over-the-road bus networks, and the public transportation systems. In addition, the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act includes provisions that take strides in enhancing the security of transportation systems at our critically important international land borders.

My hometown of Laredo, Texas, is one of the busiest ports of entry into the United States and a hub of international commerce. Approximately 1,600 railcars cross the border daily in Laredo. Additionally, 163,000 cars cross annually that are loaded with freight and headed to destinations throughout the United States.

To meet the challenge of securing our Nation's border rail ports of entry, I worked with my chairman and my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee to include two important additions to H.R. 1401. The first one supports the development and emergency response and recovery techniques that can be used at our international borders. The second gives rail inspection facilities at our international borders a priority to receive critically important rail security grant funding authorized by this legislation.

I am proud to support this legislation that will make our Nation's rail, transit, and bus systems more secure and that will ensure that the safety of citizens living across the Nation are secure as they use these systems.

Mr. Chairman, I again thank our chairman for the leadership that he has shown on this piece of legislation and for leading our committee.

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