Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2011
Floor Speech
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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2042 would require the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Department of State, to establish a program to issue APEC Business Travel Cards to eligible United States business leaders and government officials.
Under this program, U.S. citizens actively engaged in APEC business would receive expedited screening in international travel within the 21 APEC member economies.
H.R. 2042 requires DHS to integrate application procedures for and issuance of APEC Business Travel Cards with other appropriate DHS international trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI.
I strongly support those three DHS trusted traveler programs, which facilitate international travel for pre-approved, low-risk passengers while allowing DHS to focus its resources on higher-risk and unknown passengers.
H.R. 2042 is supported by the Obama Administration, and I also support the bill.
However, I am dismayed that with just 19 days left in the First Session of the 112th Congress, H.R. 2042 is the first Committee on Homeland Security bill to reach the House floor.
I would note that the last time the Committee brought legislation to the House floor was when I was still Chairman--at the end of December 2010.
With respect to H.R. 2042, let the record reflect that the path to the floor involved bypassing Committee consideration. I did not object to this approach, given that the APEC conference is slated to commence in Hawaii next month.
The Democratic Members of the Committee are committed to ensuring that the full breadth and depth of homeland security issues facing our Nation are addressed.
To date, eighty homeland security bills have been introduced and referred to the Committee. The subject matter of these bills range from border security to aviation security to counterterrorism to preparedness and response.
Unfortunately, only a handful of homeland security bills have actually been considered in Committee and only one has been reported to the House. That bill is now pending before another Committee.
The failure of the Committee on Homeland Security to advance meaningful homeland security legislation that speaks to the oversight finding of the Committee in the 112th Congress is inexcusable.
Though I recognize that the hour is late on the congressional calendar, I sincerely hope that consideration of H.R 2042 today signals the commencement of a more active legislative period for the Committee.
Nevertheless, I urge the House to support H.R. 2042 today.
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