H.R. 2217, Department of Homeland Security Appropriation Act, 2014

Floor Speech

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Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support our amendment which strengthens the Federal Flight Deck Officer program, or FFDO. Our amendment increases funding for the FFDO by $12.5 million, bringing the total authorized for the program to $25 million, with the Congressional Budget Office reporting no budgetary impact.

Since its creation in 2003, this program has provided training to pilots who are willing to step up and volunteer to protect their fellow citizens by defending the airliners that millions of Americans fly on every year. As part of TSA's risk-based approach to aviation security, which I've strongly advocated for on the Homeland Security Committee, the FFDO program plays an integral role in providing an additional layer of security against a hijacking or terrorist attack.

Since its inception, the FFDOs have protected thousands of flights each day and over 100,000 flights a month, at a fraction of the cost to taxpayers compared to the Federal Air Marshal Service. As the first line of deterrence and the last line of defense, it only makes sense that we should continue to provide adequate funding to the FFDO program. While zeroed out in the President's budget, we believe the FFDO program provides a cost-effective solution in protecting passengers aboard our airliners.

I applaud Chairman Rogers, Subcommittee Chairman Carter, and the Appropriations Committee for finding ways to prioritize spending so this program did not meet its demise. With that said, $12.5 million represents more than a 50 percent cut from last year's amount. At this level of funding, the FFDO program would be unable to recertify all the pilots currently in the program, maintain its current management structure, or train any additional officers.

We have offered a responsible and fully offset amendment that moves $12.5 million to the FFDO program to ensure that we are using our resources wisely and in a manner that directly benefits America's safety. The House unanimously agreed to a similar amendment offered in the FY 2013 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, and I hope my colleagues will join me this year in providing the support that such a valuable program deserves.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Chairman, as chair of the House Transportation Security Subcommittee, I want to raise my concern about a delay in finalizing a rule to improve the security of FAA-approved domestic and foreign repair stations. This rulemaking, mandated by Congress in 2003 and again in 2007, has languished for almost 10 years.

By way of background, TSA signed off on the rule late last year, and DHS completed consideration early this year. The Office of Management and Budget is currently reviewing the rule. I hope that OMB will complete this rulemaking by June 14, 2013, which is the end of the 90-day clock for their consideration.

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