OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Criminal Investigative Training Restoration Act

Date: Dec. 2, 2009
Location: Washington D.C.
Issues: Transportation

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3963, the ``Criminal Investigative Training Restoration Act,'' which has the potential of bolstering the effectiveness and morale of the Federal Air Marshal Service.

Specifically, this is a bipartisan bill adds the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's criminal investigative training program to the basic training required for Federal Air Marshals.

H.R. 3963 directs the Federal Air Marshal Service to provide criminal investigative training to all newly hired FAMs within 30 days of enactment.

The bill creates a three-year window for all current FAMs to be provided this additional training.

This training was provide to FAMs prior to 2001 but was halted to allow the Federal Air Marshal Service to swiftly ramp up its workforce in response to the September 11th attacks.

Unfortunately, in the eight years since 9/11, the Transportation Security Administration has not moved forward to restore this training.

I have heard that there were some concerns that there was a risk that FAMs, by virtue of taking this course, would be reclassified as ``criminal investigators.''

The legislation addresses this concern head-on by clearly stating that this such a reclassification will not occur, thereby also ensuring that the pay FAMs receive is not adversely affected.

I thank the gentleman from California, Mr. Lungren, for introducing this legislation and . working of my colleagues to include this Important provision.

I urge passage of this bipartisan bill.

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