House Passes Homeland Security Legislation on Transportation Security

Press Release

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 4802, H.R. 4803, and H.R. 4812 - bipartisan legislation to bolster security at airports, provide oversight of the Transportation Security Administration's Office of Inspection, and simplify travel for our veterans.

Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX): "Today, the House passed commonsense, bipartisan legislation to strengthen airport security, save taxpayer dollars through reforms to TSA employee management, and improve the ease of travel for our nation's veterans. The Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2014 builds on important lessons the Committee gleaned from multiple hearings on the tragic shooting at Los Angeles International Airport last November, which took the life of TSA Officer Gerardo Hernandez and wounded three others. The bill supports the airport community's best practices to better prepare for and respond to active shooter scenarios. The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General has also found that TSA's misclassification of some employees is wasting taxpayers' dollars and the TSA Office of Inspection Accountability Act ensures employee workload matches position and pay within the Office of Inspection. Lastly, I am proud the House has passed the Honor Flight Act to properly recognize our veterans by providing expedited and dignified screening for these brave men and women traveling to visit war memorials dedicated to their service. I thank Subcommittee Chairman Hudson, Ranking Member Richmond, and Representative Sanford for their leadership on these bills."

The House passed, by voice vote, H.R. 4802, the Airport Security Enhancement Act of 2014, which was introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC). The legislation improves intergovernmental planning for and communication during security incidents at domestic airports.

Subcommittee Chairman Hudson on H.R. 4802: "With threats to our nation's transportation systems constantly evolving, we must work to ensure the airport community is prepared to respond effectively and efficiently to protect the traveling public. This bill will provide more extensive collaboration and coordination between all transportation security stakeholders and create safer airports across the country. Given the partisan gridlock in Washington, I am proud of the bipartisan support this common-sense legislation received in the House, and I hope it will be swiftly brought to the Senate floor. I will continue to work to ensure our airports and TSA have the tools needed to keep our travelers safe."

The House also approved, by voice vote, H.R. 4803, the TSA Office of Inspection Accountability Act of 2014, which was introduced by Representative Mark Sanford (R-SC). The bill requires TSA to conform to existing Federal law and regulations regarding criminal investigator positions.

Representative Sanford on H.R. 4803: "I'm encouraged that the House today passed what I think will be a small, but commonsense step in the larger battle toward reining in government spending. Even though there are Federal standards in place that lay out how employees qualify for higher wages, the Transportation Security Administration pays some of their employees more for jobs they're not doing. That wouldn't make sense anywhere outside of government and our bill would help fix that problem by clarifying those employees' responsibilities."

The House additionally passed, by voice vote, H.R. 4812, the Honor Flight Act, which was introduced by Ranking Member Cedric Richmond (D-LA). The legislation establishes a process for providing expedited and dignified passenger screening services for veterans traveling to visit war memorials built and dedicated to honor their service.

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