Introduction of the ``Biometric Enhancement for Airport-Risk Reduction Act of 2008''

INTRODUCTION OF THE ``BIOMETRIC ENHANCEMENT FOR AIRPORT-RISK REDUCTION ACT OF 2008'' -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 07, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON
OF MISSISSIPPI
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008

* Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, today, I am introducing the Biometric Enhancement for Airport-Risk Reduction Act of 2008, also cited as the BEAR Act of 2008.

* Nearly a year ago, I stood here before you to discuss H.R. 1, legislation implementing the unfinished business of the 9/11 Commission recommendations to secure America against terrorism. Since its enactment, the Committee has continued aggressive oversight of the Transportation Security Administration's efforts to comply with security mandates set forth in one of the most important laws enacted by this Congress, the Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-53).

* I must recognize Assistant Secretary Kip Hawley, the head of the Transportation Security Administration, TSA, who has always shown a willingness to engage in open dialogue with me and Committee Members when we have raised particular questions or concerns having to do with TSA. One area of concern that has been raised on numerous occasions is how to best strengthen security for airport workers with unescorted access to sterile and secure areas of the airport. I strongly believe that biometric technologies can be an invaluable homeland security tool--especially with regard to this security challenge.

* I am introducing the BEAR Act to promote progress on this issue and legislate a smart security approach that promotes collaboration between TSA, industry, and other key stakeholders to provide airports with a blueprint on how to make biometrics work for them. Specifically, the bill requires TSA to study how airports can transition to uniform, standards-based and interoperable biometric identifier systems for airport workers with unescorted access. TSA, together with a working group comprised of key stakeholders, will examine existing programs and identify approaches that can enhance protections for secure and sterile areas of the airport.

* Additionally this bill requires TSA to provide Congress and airport operators with a breakdown on best practices for utilizing biometrics to better protect airports. Today, workers with unescorted access to this critical infrastructure go through background screening to get issued badges that includes terror watch list checks. While this is a necessary and important check, a job applicant's biometrics are not being captured to check against biographic information provided and establish identity. This is a problem, as revealed when Federal law enforcement raided Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in November 2007 and arrested 23 people for fraudulently securing badges to gain access to sensitive airport locations. According to the charging affidavit, more than 100 temporary workers were found to be in possession of the fraudulent badges and the staffing agency that sponsored told them that they needed identification, but such identification did not have to be legitimate. Studying approaches to bring biometrics into airports is all the more important since the struggling Transportation Worker Identification Credential, TWIC, program is not likely to be introduced into the airport environment any time soon.

* Additionally, this bill requests TSA to consider existing parallel biometric security systems such as FIPS 201-compliant cards, TWIC, and the GSA Smart Card. This bill is not about re-inventing the wheel or putting a stop to any good work at TSA on this issue. It is about encouraging public-private partnerships and promoting an open dialogue between TSA, industry, and Congress on how best to secure our airports.

* Madam Speaker, I ask that you support the BEAR Act, for it frames a series of important biometric and security credentialing issues that need to be addressed in a study and that will build on what this Congress has supported in the past. More importantly, it will provide Congress with the necessary information to continue building on smart, efficient and effective airport security measures needed to secure Americans and protect this critical sector in our economy.

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