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ONE-STOP PILOT PROGRAM ACT OF 2021
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4094) to conduct a pilot program at foreign last point of departure airports to permit passengers and their accessible property to continue on additional flights or flight segments originating in the United States without additional security re-screening, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4094
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``One-Stop Pilot Program Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM FOR ONE-STOP SECURITY.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding 44901(a) of title 49, United States Code, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is authorized to conduct a pilot program at not more than six foreign last point of departure airports to permit passengers and their accessible property arriving on direct flights or flight segments originating at such participating foreign airports to continue on additional flights or flight segments originating in the United States without additional security re-screening if--
(1) the initial screening was conducted in accordance with an aviation security screening agreement described in subsection (d);
(2) passengers arriving from participating foreign airports are unable to access their checked baggage until the arrival at their final destination; and
(3) upon arrival in the United States, passengers arriving from participating foreign airports do not come into contact with other arriving international passengers or those passengers' property or other persons who have not been screened or subjected to other appropriate security controls required for entry into the airport's sterile area.
(b) Requirements for Pilot Program.--In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall ensure there is no reduction in the level of security or specific aviation security standards or requirements for screening passengers and their property prior to boarding an international flight bound for the United States, including specific aviation security standards and requirements regarding the following:
(1) High risk passengers and their property.
(2) Weapons, explosives, and incendiaries.
(3) Screening passengers and property transferring at a foreign last point of departure airport from another airport and bound for the United States, and addressing any co-mingling of such passengers and property with passengers and property screened under the pilot program described in subsection (a).
(4) Insider risk at foreign last point of departure airports.
(c) Re-Screening of Checked Baggage.--The Administrator may determine whether checked baggage arriving from participating foreign airports referenced in subsection (a) must be re-screened in the United States by an explosives detection system before such baggage continues on any additional flight or flight segment.
(d) Aviation Security Screening Agreement Described.--An aviation security screening agreement described in this subsection is an agreement signed by the Administrator, without delegating such authority, and entered into with a foreign country that delineates and implements security standards and protocols utilized at a foreign last point of departure airport that are determined by the Administrator to be comparable to those of the United States and therefore sufficiently effective to enable passengers and their accessible property to deplane into sterile areas of airports in the United States without the need for re-screening.
(e) Re-Screening Requirement.--If the Administrator determines that the foreign country participating in the aviation security screening agreement has not maintained and implemented security standards and protocols comparable to those of the United States at foreign last point of departure airports at which a pilot program has been established in accordance with this section, the Administrator shall ensure that passengers and their property arriving from such airports are re-screened in the United States before such passengers and their property are permitted into sterile areas of airports in the United States. In the case of continued or egregious failure to maintain such security standards and protocols, the Administrator shall suspend or terminate the aviation security screening agreement, as determined appropriate by the Administrator, and shall notify the appropriate congressional committees of such suspension or termination, as the case may be, not later than seven days after such suspension or termination.
(f) Certifications and Briefings to Congress.--Not later than 30 days before an aviation security screening agreement in accordance with subsection (d) enters into force, the Administrator shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees the following:
(1) A copy of such agreement.
(2) A homeland security threat assessment for the country in which such foreign last point of departure airport is located, information on any corresponding mitigation efforts to address any security issues identified in such threat assessment, and the Administrator's plans for ensuring through joint covert testing or other measures compliance with the security standards and protocols set forth in such agreement.
(3) A certification that such agreement satisfies all requirements specified in subsection (b) or, in the event that one or more of such requirements is not so satisfied, an identification of the unsatisfied requirement and information on what actions will be taken to ensure such remaining requirement is satisfied before such agreement enters into force.
(4) A certification that the Administrator consulted with stakeholders, including air carriers, airport operators, relevant interagency partners, and other stakeholders the Administrator determines appropriate.
(5) A detailed briefing on the substance of paragraphs (1) through (4).
(g) Sunset.--The pilot program described in subsection (a) shall terminate six years after the date of enactment of this section.
(h) Report to Congress.--Not later than five years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Administrator, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report regarding the implementation of the pilot program described in subsection (a), including information relating to the following:
(1) The impact to homeland security and international aviation security, including any benefits and challenges, of such pilot program.
(2) The impact to passengers, airports, and air carriers, including any benefits and challenges, of such pilot program.
(3) The impact and feasibility of continuing such pilot program or expanding into a more permanent program, including any benefits and challenges.
(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed as limiting the authority of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to inspect persons and baggage arriving in the United States in accordance with applicable law.
(j) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Administration; tsa.--The terms ``Administration'' and
``TSA'' mean the Transportation Security Administration.
(2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.
(3) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Guest) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.
General Leave
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Mississippi?
There was no objection.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4094, the One-Stop Pilot Program Act of 2021.
This legislation seeks to simplify and streamline the security screening process for certain international air travelers arriving in the U.S.
It does so by directing the Transportation Security Administration to carry out a pilot program to allow passengers arriving from certain foreign airports to proceed directly to their connecting flights in the United States without having to go through the domestic security screening process.
Under current law, TSA is required to screen international passengers and their belongings upon their arrival in the U.S. before they can continue on to a connecting flight at a domestic airport. In practice, this means that upon landing, passengers must go through a TSA checkpoint with their carry-on items and have their checked baggage rescreened by TSA.
Under the pilot program required under H.R. 4094, arriving international passengers would forego TSA screening when transferring to a domestic flight if they originated from certain airports where strong security measures are in place on the front end.
As amended, this bill requires foreign airports participating in the pilot to uphold security screening standards and procedures that are comparable to those used by TSA. In doing so, passengers and their belongings at these airports will be securely screened before they arrive in the United States so they can more easily catch their connecting flight to their final destination.
Beyond an improved passenger experience, requiring security standards and protocols at foreign airports to be on par with those used in the U.S. could help strengthen aviation security around the globe.
Mr. Speaker, 20 years after 9/11, enhancing transportation security remains a critical priority. With that, I support H.R. 4094, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4094, the One-Stop Pilot Program Act of 2021. This legislation will allow TSA to conduct a pilot program with select foreign airports that will make international air travel both more secure and more efficient.
Streamlining international aviation security for passengers from certified foreign airports would not only encourage airports around the globe to reach U.S. security standards, but it will also help revitalize a struggling international aviation industry. This innovative pilot program shows that it is possible to have both better security and a more seamless passenger experience.
I thank Ranking Member Katko for his tireless work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring this legislation to where it is today.
Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to join me in supporting H.R. 4094, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to gentleman from New York
(Mr. Katko), the ranking member.
Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4094, the One-Stop Pilot Program Act of 2021 authorizes the Transportation Security Administration to establish a pilot program to streamline international travel and enhance aviation security.
Specifically, under this bill, international travelers from certified last point of departure airports would not need to be rescreened upon arrival in the United States for their domestic connecting flight.
H.R. 4094 will improve international aviation security since participating LPD airports must elevate their level of security to that of the United States in order to be certified. Given the desire and competition among international airports to participate, the one-stop security pilot will help to raise the global baseline of aviation security.
The bill ensures robust oversight of the pilot program by requiring TSA to brief and certify to Congress that security standards are maintained at participating pilot airports. Additionally, the pilot program will inform Congress and DHS as to whether a more permanent one-stop program is practical and beneficial to U.S. aviation security.
One-stop screening would enable TSA to better utilize its screening workforce and technology to help facilitate the increased travel volume as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just this morning, the TSA administrator testified before the Committee on Homeland Security about the security and efficiency benefits that this pilot program will have on TSA's operations.
The pilot program will also provide international travelers with a more seamless and efficient travel experience. Travelers will no longer have to rush to be rescreened by TSA during their layover and will have more time at the airport without fear of missing their connecting flights.
The aviation industry will also realize efficiencies as a result of this bill. Air carriers will potentially be able to shorten connection times for travelers and streamline staffing at participating airports. U.S. airports will also see benefits as connecting travelers will have more time to dine and shop while on their layover. This is critically important as the travel and tourism industry continues to struggle with the effects of this brutal pandemic.
For these reasons, and many others, aviation and travel industry stakeholders are very enthusiastic about this legislation, and I appreciate their strong support.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of support from Airlines for America, the American Association of Airport Executives, and the Airports Council International North America.
Airlines for America,
Washington, DC, June 29, 2021.Ranking Member John Katko,House Committee on Homeland Security,House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Ranking Member Katko: I write to express Airlines for America's (A4A) robust support for H.R. 4094, the ``One-Stop Pilot Program Act of 2021.'' This bill would serve as a critical tool for the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA), partner governments and the commercial aviation industry to pilot innovative ways to increase security at foreign last point of departure airports while increasing efficiency of screening for passengers and baggage within the United States.
This bill would authorize a pilot program at 10 or fewer foreign last point of departure airports, permitting passengers flying from these airports and their carry-on baggage to continue to additional flights or flight segments within the U.S. without additional security rescreening. U.S. airlines have collaborated positively with the TSA on similar initiatives for years, but unfortunately our collective efforts have been stymied by outdated requirements in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act.
By permitting the TSA to pilot a new concept in a safe and controlled manner, it will be possible to demonstrate how such security enhancement programs may be permanently and broadly implemented. The bill is consistent with standards and recommended practices set by the International Civil Aviation Organization and puts the United States in a position to lead the international community on modern approaches to enhance aviation security.
Safety and security are always the top priorities of A4A and our member airlines, and we are encouraged that this bill maintains the high aviation security standards for flights into and within the United States. Upon passage, we look forward to continued collaboration with the TSA on all One-Stop security efforts.
On behalf of the commercial U.S. aviation industry, A4A strongly supports this legislation. Thank you for your leadership on this issue.
Sincerely,
Lauren Beyer,
Vice President, Security and Facilitation,Airlines for America.
____
American Association of
Airport Executives,
Alexandria, VA, June 29, 2021.Hon. John Katko,Ranking Members, Committee on Homeland Security, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Ranking Member Katko: On behalf of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and the thousands of men and women across the country who manage and operate our nation's airports, thank you for your continued leadership in Congress on aviation security issues. I am writing to express AAAE's support for the ``One Stop Pilot Program Act of 2021'' that you introduced earlier this week.
This legislation would permit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to conduct a three-year pilot program at up to 10 airports at which connecting passengers' and their carry-on baggage would not need to be rescreened upon arrival in the United States before connecting to another domestic flight provided that the last point of departure airport has a commensurate level of screening to the U.S. Some of AAAE's airport members had been exploring this concept with TSA prior to the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to eliminate screening redundancy and improve passenger facilitation. We appreciate the necessary changes your legislation would make to permit this concept to be tested on a pilot basis.
Once international travel is allowed to fully resume, which AAAE and our airport members are eagerly awaiting and working to see implemented as quickly and safely as possible in concert with the federal government, the One Stop Pilot Program will provide additional passenger facilitation solutions to make international travel more seamless and secure.
We appreciate your efforts to advance this security screening concept. Our member airports remain interested in piloting this idea. AAAE stands ready to work with you to advance this legislation.
Sincerely,
Stephanie K. Gupta,
Senior Vice President,Security and Facilitation.
____
Airports Council International,
June 25, 2021.Hon. John Katko,Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Ranking Member Katko: On behalf of Airports Council International-North America, which represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports throughout the United States, I want to share our support of your new bill, H.R. 4094, the One-Stop Pilot Program Act.
Airports welcome the introduction of this important legislation to establish a pilot program at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that would allow passengers and their baggage departing from approved foreign airports to continue onto their connecting flights without having to go through additional security screening. This one-stop security pilot would create needed efficiencies by eliminating an unnecessary and burdensome rescreening process for passengers and baggage that were subject to a commensurate level of screening at their departing airport. It also would allow TSA to reallocate scarce resources to augment staffing at checkpoint and checked baggage screening locations.
Thank you for your efforts to enhance aviation security and the passenger experience at America's airports. I look forward to continuing to work with you on these important issues.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Burke,
President and CEO, Airports
Council International--North America.
Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, lastly, I thank my friend, Representative Stephanie Murphy from Florida, for her partnership on this bipartisan bill, and I thank Chairman Thompson, my friend, for his commitment to bringing it to the floor today.
Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to join me in supporting H.R. 4094.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I also have no further speakers.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, the pilot program authorized under H.R. 4094 is intended to provide TSA and its international aviation security partners with an opportunity to streamline travel and enhance security.
Importantly, H.R. 4094 includes essential security guardrails to ensure that the pilot is carried out in a way that does not result in lessened security standards regarding, for example, the carriage of small knives on planes or the transfer of upstream passengers without rescreening.
That is why the legislation, which was introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko), received bipartisan support when it was approved by the Committee on Homeland Security in July.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4094, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 170
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