President Obama Signs Bill That Congresswoman Laura Richardson Managed on House Floor

Press Release

On January 3, 2012, President Obama signed into law, H.R. 1801, the Risk-Based Security Screening for Members of the Armed Forces Act. Congresswoman Laura Richardson served as the Democratic Bill Manager during debate on the House floor in December. The bill passed the House without opposition.

This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop a plan for providing expedited screening to military personnel at airport security checkpoints. Consideration of this bill also marks the first time in the 112th Congress that the full House considered a bill reported from Committee on Homeland Security, of which Congresswoman Richardson is a senior member and the Ranking Democrat on its Subcommittee Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications

"The Risk-Based Security Screening for Members of the Armed Forces Act properly recognizes the preciousness of time to the patriotic men and women serving without compromising aviation security" Congresswoman Laura Richardson stated.

This bill is a demonstration of our nation's recognition of the extraordinary service our troops provides and is an effort to help ease burdens that many members of our Armed Forces face. Since 2001, there have been more than 2 million troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. This legislation will ensure that our troops and their families, including the 236,963 defense personnel in California, are given the opportunity to board an aircraft in an accelerated manner.

"As members of our Armed Forces continually stand for us in the line of duty, we should let them once again stand in front of us at the airport" said Congresswoman Laura Richardson. "As Americans, we should all stand behind our troops, not just in battle" said Congresswoman Richardson.

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