Transcripts For CSPAN2 Hearing On Coronavirus Air Travel Safety 20240712

Is not there . Thats why we recently sent a letter to the committee to the heads of the phs calling for Interagency Task force to take a holistic approach in supporting venetians industry. Im concerned about the different requirements and Health Assessments across the nation. A lot of different requirements and confucian. That affects millions of travelers intimately in who depend on the healthy aviation sector. I repeat, 11 million workers who depend on the Aviation Industry. Among the most publicized is the social distancing measures. They were most visible when they issued to help slow the spread of this deadly virus. Today at the security checkpoint many different images have emerged full of unmasked passengers and americans are rightfully surprised when by all accounts the demand for travel is still very low. Even now we hear from airlines limiting is not necessary. Into the economic environment with very limited resources. Thats why we must make sure the measures be put intous place or effective and innovative and forward to hearing from Witnesses Today have different perspectives on health checks, Health Questionnaires and contact tracing. Theyve sparked an interest between frontline employees and passengers is critical to limit the transformation into equal importance is to make sure that its not better than the disease. The impact of the technologies and procedures and Civil Liberties must be communicated clearly as well. Further any such particles should be subject to notice and comment by the public before they are widespread deployed. For example i understand they are installing cameras with facial Recognition Software on the credentialed technology for some security checkpoints. Before we roll out a the technology, theres a lot of work to do. Theyve done a great deal of work but there is concern the data protection. Its not in anyones interest without having the necessary protection n in place. Another technology into consideration is the detection and range. Its to detect and reduce the need for security points. History reminds us the last time the deployed Image Technology specific to the advanced Image Technology today, congress has to step in. To stop the use of scanners which resulted. Ultimately looking for solutions i want to hear from the aviation partners and the public has the right that highlights the issue that must be identified and considered it for the decisions i made. Last but not least i want to hear from stakeholders how they are protecting frontline workers. There is no industry without the workers. They help ensure that they make it through. They are resilient to need all of us to Work Together to ensure the safety, security and help of the public and i look forward to the discussion today and i would like to recognize the Ranking Member for in Opening Statement. The chair recognizes the Ranking Member of the subcommittee the gentleman from arizona for an Opening Statement. Its good to see both of you as well. I am pleased the subcommittee is meeting today to provide oversight critical to the health of the nation. Im disappointed however members are not allowed to meet in person even if other members choose to go remotely. My understanding is the committee doesnt allow that. There are particles to allow them to the committee bases into. This committee has not. This is not in keeping with the guidance of the house rules committee. I hope that soon we can move forward in a manner that allows them to be physically present for the work of the constituen constituents. Turning to the topic i want to commend the men and women for continuing to do their jobs faithfully for about a pandemic even as the agency became the hardest hit in the department of Homeland Security. More than 650 personnel tested positive and tragically five tsa personnel have lost their lives, and i sincerely want to say i pray for the families and their comfort the Aviation Industry is one of many factors that devastated by the impact the pandemic peaked it fell below 100,000 passengers per day. A level not seen in the history of tsa and far below the average 2. 5 million than they were screening prior to the virus outbreak. And i ca came to you from persol experience when this whole thing started there were 12 people on the plane and its since grown. The plane was pretty full. It was cut down to one flight per day. We were beginning to see glimmers of hope that its starting to increase. When this recovery transportation stakeholders are responding to new challenges in order to keep travelers safe and get america flying again. What will come screaming to gett the streaming process look like and what changes need to occur for the passengers and what more can be done to protect the passengers from a potential wave in the pandemic. Its my hope to hear feedback from the panel today having recently received a briefing from tsa administrator im eager to hear the stakeholders perspectives on what partnering looks like in response to the pandemic and how that could implement to the passengers streaming and safety. They are on the front lines to ensure the movement of people we are in an unprecedented time. At first looks like a ghost town where people couldnt exist anymore. I was often the only car pulling up to be dropped off at the airport. So im glad to see that its picking up somewhat but i do want to hear from the witnesses on what they are recommending because we need to get the ngeconomy working again and i believe youll. Thank you. Can you hear me okay. I want to thank the Ranking Member and with that i would yield for the purpose of the colloquy. Could you ask plane [inaudible] this will apply during remote proceedings. We expect to adhere toll those rules in the committee and the house. During this period the committee will update with cultural line 65 the technology requires us to make modifications to assure that they can participate in these proceedings. Thank you mr. Chairman. Could you also elaborate on how the members may recognize the proceedings . [inaudible] then they proceed provided they have identified previously. Members may amuse themselves to be recognized for the purpose of the questioning of the witness witnesses. Members will be expected to prevent excess background noise and in the event a member to avoid background noise. Before we proceed i do have a question from the staff. I dont know if you know, but your video went away or speaking went away for a vital. Do we need to repeat this for the record flex if you can read the last paragraph one more ti time. After speaking the clerk has been directed to avoid background noise. Should a member wish to be recognized to seek recognition at the right time. It wasnt the last paragraph that went out. Thank you mr. Chairman what are the technical issues which is kind of funny. In being recognized for clustering i will move to the next available member of the sameof party at the next appropriate timeslot provided they have returned to the proceedings. Should be interpreted for technical issues, i will recognize that member at the next appropriate spot for the remainder oft the time of their issues have been resolved. The vice chair of the committee is available for the next Senior Member to assume the duty of the chair until im able to return to the proceedings. Thank you. [inaudible] members are reminded they are only allowed to attend one Virtual Event at the time please fully exit the hearing before entering another proceeding and finally alll members are remindd they are expected to observe the the decorum should have a professional and a political background when participating in any remote. What should members expect od the witness learns a connectivity . During the testimony and questioning i will preserve the time as the staff addresses the technicalff issue. I may need to reset. [inaudible] i think whats happening is im getting at with the staff is doing it. Hopefully you can hear me now. Finally got what should members expected a vote is called during a remote event class requires members to be physically present to have the vote recorded in a remote event. You should seek recognition from the chair to ensure that the vote is recorded and should a member lose connectivity i will hold a vote for a period of time to address the technical issue to have the vote recorded. Thank you mr. Chairman, and i will yield back. I ask unanimous consent to waive the Committee Rule for the subcommittee during the remote proceedings designated by the speaker under the House Resolution 965. Mr. Thompson, cant hear you, sir. To the perspective it consists of so much more. It includes airports, municipal airlines and importantly all the dedicated employees. Additionally it includes civil rights and Civil Liberties organizations to focus on protecting travelers privacy rights and the heightened concern in the wake of the vir virus. It has devastated industries. The nations Aviation System has been the front linete of efforts to stop the spread of this pandemic from the beginning. The transportation Security Offices and act with passengers, flight crew members and others putting themselves at risk each and every day. According to the tsa did a 651 tsa employees tested positive for the virus of which 468 employees have recovered and sadly five have died and as the chairman of this committee, i have advocated on behalf of the frontline workforce demanded that theyy be issued protective equipment like gloves and masks to do their important work. After all they are on the frontlines of Aviation Security, keeping the traveling public secure from threats during a global pandemic. We must continue to make every effort to ensure our aviation workers arere kept safe. This includes airports workers, flight crew members and mechanics to keep these employees safe as they have negative implications not only to the workers but also risk further spread of the virus. Like i mentioned earlier, the impact of covid19 has been devastating to this sector. According to tsa, air travel is down 84 at this exact moment last year. The government must establish that might help, safety and Security Standards to protect airports workers and restore Public Confidence inic travel. This require significant coordination and collaboration on the part of agencies like tsa into the white house that currently does not exist. Instead we see a patchwork of standards and requirements throughout the aviation sector that American People from the traveling public deserves better. That is why i call on the dhs and the dod to enter the task force to ensure that all efforts and policies are coordinated at the highest levels to support the recovery of the industry. Recent news reports suggested dhs may be preparing the program that they would be tasked with checking the temperature of departing passengers to identify individuals who may have covid19. This is alarming given the evidence that such healthg, screenings are effective since people can spread a symptomatically not to mention there are civil rights and Civil Liberties concerns around conducting Temperature Checks. Particularly concerned about collecting, using in the Sensitive Health information of the traveling public, airport workers and Airlines Announced additionally given that disproportionately impacts any proposed Temperature Checks protocol must be designed to guard against the potential discrimination of travelers. It highlights any Temperature Checks program must undergo the Recovery Process for a proper rollout of Temperature Checks of the nations airports. The future of the Aviation Industry in this area will include a number of challenges as i have just outlined. Im committed to working with stakeholders to ensure will they succeed despite these challeng challenges. Im interested in hearing from todays witnesses on how we can collectively do so and with that i will yield back the balance of my time. Id like to recognize the Ranking Member of the committee from the state of alabama, mr. Rogers for an offense taken. Thank you mr. Chairman, can you hear me. Im pleased they are having removing air travel. Im disappointed members are unable to meet physically. Members were physically present and adhere adhere to the guidels during the debate. Minority members also ruled out. The house will be back next week voting in person at the committee chooses to go to in person or convened in person. We look forward to working with the majority in a bipartisan pmanner todays hearing comes t a time when thousands of aircraft remain grounded across the United States. Passenger volume has dipped 85 below average. Aviation stakeholders must worku collaboratively theyve contracted the virus and each Members Committee is saddened by the tragic loss of the personnel. To hear what policies and procedures have been implemented in the recent months and i also hope to hear from the witnesses on what additional actions can be taken to protect. I think the witnesses were appearing before the committee and i dont think the balance of my time. I dont think we can hear you. I couldnt hear all of you. It dropped out. Mr. Rogers, did you finish your statement . Other members of the committee are reminded of the Opening Statements that may be submitted for the record and now id like to welcome the panel of witnesses and thank them for joining us today. The first witness president and coceo of the council of north america or hes bee is been sin. The trade association representing the governing bodies that operate over 300 commercial airports and the second witness willou be ms. Saa nelson who serves representing 50,000 Flight Attendants and 20 airlines. Our third witness serves as the Legislative Council and Civil Liberties union and is part of the National Political Advocacy Department that is focused on surveillance, privacy and National Security issues. Before joining the aclu, she worked in the department of Homeland Security concentrating on National Security and civil rights issues. The fourth and final witness is ms. Victoria barnes the executive, Vice President of te u. S. Travel association that represents organizations in the travel industry and supports 60 million jobs. Without objection, the statement will be inserted in the record and now im going to ask each witness to summarize the state for five minutes. Please excuse my voice. The current state of the airports and policy recommendations provide providee health of travelers who instill Public Confidence in the Solid Foundation since the outbreak airports have been focused on the health and safety of passengers, employees and raise Public Awareness about this thread and we are updating public websites and making routine public announcements. Theyve also implemented numerous measures of the facilities that include Hand Sanitizer stations and ticket counters, checkpoints. Airports are also working on physical distancing which we will discuss later is a very large challenge. Airports have increased the frequency of intense focus as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times they are grateful foweregrateful for then Emergency Support congress provided for the cares act airports nationwide face operational hurdles. Now as all of you travel to and from your district we know americas airports are indeed hurting with traffic down nearly 90 this time last year, we estimate they face 23 million operating losses as a result. On top of that, they face a significant outbreak for sanitizer,nd plexiglass, protective equipme equipment. Airports are working hard to cut their budgets and plan for the airport experience once the pandemic gets out of the w way. We want to keep people working at airports. The airports. We continue to coordinate very closely with customs and Border Protection Regulatory Guidance and flexibilityts to help them remain open while ensuring the safety and security for the traveling public. For partnering with us and others for their extraordinary accessibility during this challenging time. My statement determines the members developed as we head towards recovery. Id like ti would like to highle key points this afternoon. First with revenue down significantly, but this report needed to assist this nationalal emergency. To be growing the operating costs. Second, they are working with stakeholders for new measures for Public Health. We need a touch less Aviation Security screening process to help provide adequate distancing the passengers and their baggage as they move through the checkpoints. To achieve this we recommend the following. It reduces touch points and maintain physical distancing and creates insecurity effectiveness. The checkpoints remain operational by maintaining and begin providing. More support for the existing programs like janitorial, Law Enforcement reimbursement and explosive detection systems we also need new Airport Security program to Fund Activities g wih perimeter checkpoint redesign, planning, airport emergency and closedcircuit tv. Third we recommend the establishment of the Advisory Panel involving the dot, hhs, the state department and industry stakeholders to develop recommendations for the operational Infrastructure Technology issues related to the pandemic planning. Airports are leading economic engines through communities and investment by multiplying throughout the region if we look forward to working together to help them weather the crisis and get back to work in a system that is safer, stronger, more secure and resilient. Thank your. For this opportunity and we welcome your questions. Thank you very much. And i dont recognize ms. Nelson to summarize her statements in five minutes. Thank you mr. Chairman, Ranking Member of moscow, Ranking Member vouchers for the opportunity to testify today coronavirus is by far thee largest ever. In aviation. We must make substantial changes at this moment for the leadership starting with new emergency procedures. Throughout the crisis theyve responded to our concerns on the policies all Major Airlines have now put in place the requirements but after nearly 120,000 no Contract Tracing we are on day number three of the requirements. Without the instruction from the governmentts and airline proper training or federal enforcement most travelers comply but conflict still flares up as they believe its a political statement rather than public statement. They see it as a layered approach and this is why we have the department with every aspect to consider every testimony and coordinate the. Including the procurement we urged the department to issue as it is these ultimate testimony indicates they do not believe they have a role in the regulation but by contrast the ban on the use was to reduce the risk of passengers and crew members. We strongly support and for passengers before they fly. This can and should be done without requiring the Community Health and good jobs that help reverse guidelines. It can lead to the h termination without the guidelines and what policies they will put in place. Many other carriers that congress can help the industry stay safe by working with the regulators to protect jobs and benefits of any education worker that is unable to fly because of the covid19 symptoms. Without the dedicated highly trained the credentialed workforce of the industry. Flight attendants and deviation workers on the front line and they are essential to the ability to function. Is my members joined together this past march to pass the historic relief package for aviation workers in the cares act. And theres other benefits through september 30. I urge the members of the committee for an extension through at least januar january 30212021. Id like to recognize the needs to address disproportionate impactpr. On this point theyy also celebrate w the dignity of American Workers the congress has the opportunity to recognize the pandemic by ensuring on the front lines they are protected. Thank you for the time and attention. Flight attendants appreciate the work so much. We depend on you to forward to your questions. Thank you for your testimony. Id now like to recognize ms. Giuliani to summarized statement. Covid19 both resulted in a tragic loss of life and both teiggered investments. After covid19 it didnt make us safer. As we grapple with the covid19 and how to make air travel safe and we must be vigilant to not repeat the mistake. We must implement many measures that were ineffective and inconsistent. If the aviation response is an effective it will not only come it would also undermine the Public Health efforts by decreasing trust and contributing to the community transmission. Fortunately, the professionals hahave provided guidance on howe can avoid the mistake of the past. They cautioned against the Law Enforcement approach that would likely have a minimal impact. These include facilitating basic Health Precautions and to change travel plans without penalties with symptoms if they have been exposed to a the disease so the workers do not suffer financially and approach rooted as they consider th we considerh response to covid19 we must remember its not a luxury. A former Supreme Court justice it also implicates the first amendment. Its wayits ways that are unnecy or discriminatory. Given this, any new measure was for example if the reports are accurate and recognizes the Temperature Check out the poorly designed strategy, they should not be deployed. If they arent they must be clearly established benchmarks it is the sole basis that would be inherent unrelated to covid19. At most it should trigger further examination. Three if not maintained on the atdatabase that the last thing e want is the fear of such information is used. They do not adhere to this to be rejected as the response to covid. There are less invasive ways on the travel documents. When asking someone to hold the document on full review instead of sending it to the scanning it to somebody. Suggesting this expansion would cause them to question the legitimacy there must be proactive transparency accountability at a minimum it should require the oversight. Like the privacy assessment and rulemaking requirements. The id becomes the new normal to have other should be evaluated separately to preserve privacy. It offers an opportunity to address. I look forward to working with the subcommittee on how we can make travel safer thank you for your testimony, and i recognize ms. Barnes to summarize the statement in five minutes. Thank you for inviting the administration to participate in this important hearing. Before the pandemic, travel now the nations workforce has been cut in half totaling a third of all jobs los job losses this ma. It nine times greater than the 9 1111 attack. We must make sure. According to a survey by destination airlines more than half of americans said they would engage in a road trip compared to 21 who said they would only feel safe traveling by air until march of 2021 thats why im here today to restore air travel in for the entire industry can do to help. Today i would like to focus on three areas communicating about what is being done to help keep them safe and free to accelerate the recovery and thats been the longterm competitiveness. At the Industry Leader said without security there would be no travel. It requires a similar approach. To promote the health and safety of travelers and workers, there can be no travel or opening businesses to that end u. S. Travel habits of exports to create health and safety guidance for industry canada to reoffend responsibly to conclude and increase barriers and solutions. They must also take steps to protect the health and safety of travelers and workers. They modify the distance. They must take a risk based approach for the distancing isnt possible and other measures must be put into place. Similar to these challenges, we will never be able to eliminate 100 w of the risk. But the leader riskbased response from tsa and cbp would be enormously beneficial. As we saw in the early days of tsa it is hard to roll it back. Any measures put in place related to covid19 must be temporary and it is eliminated or reduced. They worked with the broad industry to facilitate health and safety procedures. There are several steps they take to mitigate. Shorten the Recovery Time and increase longterm competitiveness another solution is the widespread implementation of the biometric identification and clear identification systems. The travel industry and larger American Economy will not recover on its own. We need a stimulus planning and Clear Communication to ensure it can safely resume and hope the economic revival. Its not going to look the same as it did before. Oo every community made significant changes to protect itself and safety of all travelers and workers. Thank you again for having me here today and i look forward to your questions. Thank you for the testimony. Each member willin have five minutes to question the panel recognize myself for five minutes of questions the Airline Industry is the hub to provide the world with not only passengers but all kinds of products. In terms of transportation and delivery of goods and services. To let you know how personal the industry is, the biggest employer is disneyland. They remain closed and will open up sometime in july. But getting them to start coming back its going to be a long track and the issue is trust and confidence in how we get folks to start traveling again. My question to each of you is, ms. Nelson, essentially you are representing the employee. Ms. Giuliani coming you are talking about the civil rights of how far we can go in terms of addressing some of these issues so in coordination the top two or three things we need to do to get folks to start traveling again in a safe manner. This has terrified americans rightfully so. With everybody having that confidencece and trust is what e talked about in the Interagency Task force. The toppings. Going to a public place like an airport but they would be safe if the employees are Wearing Masks. If they socially distance or wear masks and we need Public Institutions to make people feel as though the travel experience is not as terrible as they think it is going to be and begin to travel again, the proof is inoo the pudding. That requires cooperation betweecollaborationbetween the , airports, airlines and the agencies. We have a tremendous job. Thank you so much. We need to make sure they are doing self assessments and Wellness Checks and that can bel done with restored individuals this is used as a means to get them to think about security and make sure we are rooting out as many risks as possible. We need to trust and confidence. The benchmarks if the public knows we met those benchmarks there will be more. The second thing is making sure that they are limiting any information thats only going to be used about the health purposes. Its disclosing information about their lives. [inaudible] its on the table and something that can help improve the experience. Its important and its the ability. But just as they are given the job [inaudible] that should apply across the board. To recognize from arizona ms. Lesko for questions. I have to say that i give the congressman extra bonus points. It looks like he was on a plane and walked through the airport and is now on another plane. No keys in a car now. I wish that the airlines having people wear masks at least for me personally the person sitting behind me when i was on a call with the airlines a couple of weeks ago they thought that they were going to have people board from the back of the plane instead of the way they are now. Is actually about the airports itself. When i go into the airports most of the stores are closed a lot of the restaurants are closed so how are the airports dealing with the tenants . What is happening there . Very good question congressman. Depending on the context because there is no business for them clearly there is none at all so its a very difficult time that they cant pay rent with no money comes to them but a lot of airports in this country are on minimal guarantees but across the board it is a little bit uneven for the most part airports have done their level best to help out the tenants because passengers will need them to buy things like food right now they have grab and go the other thing that airports are doing is to make sure they are safe. One of the challenge we have is preparation of airports not bill for this type of crisis and that is separating people with tsa. That is a good piece of real estate so Wearing Masks will be key we welcome several guidelines to do that. And except any regulations from state and local authorities and that the federal government to put out some guidance to require people to protect passengers vendors. On the one hand previous testimony and then to be concerned the be passed down if somebody has a hairdo with an extra patdown does that tell you that they are concerned about new technologies that it would eliminate these for a patdown so im trying to reconcile where you are at and how we can solve this problem because on the one hand we dont have patdownsob. It has been one of the things proposed to reduce the pat downs but in the past we try to use thermal detection outside of the t airport context and that had constitutional concerns in the airport context there is a question whether that kind of thermal protectionon is possible for which it was intended but that is done in a way that is proven to be effective we just have to have the data and information to understand what exactly is being done and to whatat extent. I know that my time is up but some of these are really good. The technology is really good and. The chair will recognize other members for questions they may ask the witnesses as previously stated i will recognize in order of seniority. Moving between majority minority and with that said i would like to recognize the chair of the full committee for five minutes of questions. Thank you very much mr. Chair and take you to the witness for that testimony. When we had the unfortunate incident on september 11th we created tsa and did a lot of things. Are there some things put in place now that you think we should become a part of the protocol of the covid19 environment . Thank you for the question. Imports are certain they can gain at 5060 or 70 percent and for a long period of time we should have social separation of 6 feet. The challenge the airports have is how do you do that in limited space . Like the one plexiglas industries all over the country and use of masks. And with broken regulations on a temporary basis if you wear it on the airplane you should wear on your trip. So i do believe as we get more funding in the future than that would require a good deal of money infrastructure. In the middle of january people will be standing in line outside minneapolis 30 degrees below zero or 115 degrees in phoenix in the summer it is very complicated but if we have to make these changes that we have to adapt to a system and we can do this but we need d the money. Do we have any comments on the . I would just like to reiterate what was said and also that we do need that flexibility because there is a lot of issues to deal with and what we need to do especially is have these in place before we had people return to travel because if we try to put this in place we will have a much mharder time putting the plexiglas in place and having a station for Hand Sanitizer. Thank you for your comments. One of the things tsa did was talk about a biometric roadmap and as we look toward the future and what opportunities are out there thats interest so what are your thoughts about the prospect tsa expands the biometric operation beyond the program . I am very concerned we dont have clear legislation how facial recognition will be used by tsa thats a problem and secondly those professors with the positive and negative and even looking at the roadmap to contemplate integration so that raises serious questions and then to undergo what has never been implemented how do we preserve privacy . And more generally to have a National Conversation and what is used by the government at all so i am troubled by the roadmap where funding is used with facial recognition and how are they being protected. Okay mr. Chair do you have a comment on not . Yes. And what could help with those opportunities we support strictly often and we think that could really be helpful so we think that is something that should be considered and with those we feel we need that for guidance and we know thats a long way to be more secure more often. I yelled back. Thank you chairman i will recognize the Ranking Member abfrom alabama. You talked in your Opening Statement for better communication what are some examples of improved techniques we can take . We been doing is to have a united communication and they talk very clearly of the need for social distancing so even to the extent to articulate the need for that there are new procedureses in place we are happy to amplify all the communications that are being done but travelers need to understand there is a consistency and who is but first and foremost in the fact they come collaborate together that we can articulate that would be appreciated. The main thing that we can do to give comfort to start flying again. What word you suggest is the most essential thing we can do to invigorate confidence in the traveling public . We think again clearly community on desk indicating health and safety guidance and the consistency we actually work with 30 different organizations including payment and hand sanitation and the procedures for testing if necessary so with health and safety guidance also we think that opportunity is significant and then to communicate there is that type of option to clear out those congestion issues that is a more confident traveling experience and coordination of travel and what those expectations can be for the travelers so then that is what to expect across that system. In your testimonyny you note the ama is a sure that those passengers in the industry including Temperature Check on passengers and you also note the lack of government plan means that Temperature Checks are not occurring into suggests the new federal workforce besides the tsa could perform the role of taking passenger temperatures now the chairman did a good job in his Opening Statement lifting up on listing a variety of concerns that i share that go along with temperature g taking in you heard mr. Giuliani with the civil rights concerns. How do you respond to the expressed concerns going along with the temperature taking statement . I want to be clear Temperature Checks as an example as a Wellness Check and what we were like to have as a committee and anyone working on these procedures to be put inpl place is a self check so walking people through to help them selfse identify to becoming contact with anyone. Or have you had a rise in temperature . There is a series of questions that could be asked. That will create a deterrent and get travelers to think about these issues and give them some responsibility and an that will limit the number entering the airport who may be at risk. It will not completely eliminate the risk of coronavirus it is definitely a layered approach including Hand Sanitizer but it is a stop to help that cavalier approach so that we eliminate the risk. I yelled back. Thank you. Thank you i recognized for five minutes the gentle ma man, welcome. Thank you chairman let me just say i have a 97 yearold father who is currently in a facility. So i was really upset when i found out admittance to the facility was based first and foremost on whether or not if you have the temperature and on the surface it sounds reasonable and preventive, however, black and brown people of the United States have the disproportionately higher Blood Pressure relating to hypertension and other t diseases. And it has remained unclear with the no definitive study but the fact remains when you take temperatures and allow people admittance to anything based on temperatures they could be 1000 miles from having covid19 that because of hypertension and diabetes and so forth that will probably teeter a bit higher. Asas those issues are discussed my level of concern there is no intentionality. It does affect black and brown people more. You have identified the real problem with Temperature Checks so are they that helpful . There is somee suggestion that you can take tylenol that could suppress your fever. Many people that have covariate are h asymptomatic. Even if it is an effective screening technique so if you are pregnant or with hypertension if youre traveling to receive medical care the last thing we want is to deny their constitutional right to travel if there is a Temperature Check it just triggers more further conversation on the individual to have a conversation if there are alternative reasons and if they are at risk for covid19. I yield back my time. We recognize mr. Bishop. Be safe. Ld thank you mr. Chairman and the witnesses we have had today two things stick out with me and one is the need of some sort to bring together universal guidelines that make sense that the number of departments or Department Components and was some outside experts that additional people should be considered and one was the oversight what that implementation of the guidelines i believe your the one person mentioned and how do you see that happening . This is theheth one on the third thing i want to know. In doing this particular time that should and when the pandemic ends . And those are my questions mr. Chair. One of the things we focus on is the approach thats not so overly prescriptive not to be phased out with the pandemic we convened a group of 30 different organizations working with medical professionals and why it is medically necessary options to stop the spread of covert. Have you submitted those recommendations has anything happened as a result was some safety and Health Guidelines . And the cdc and were happy to talk to you about all that at that. With regard to those measures trying to be implemented including technology and that interaction employees and passengers and what needs to be eliminated when that pandemic has ended . A lot can be done if properlyedme protecting health and Civil Liberties but if there is fair information to the public and allowances for those who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons thats not punitive in nature and thats in coordination with what has been recommended. And with the ability for those who self monitor. And those who dont feel well and dont come to the airport at all. And then with the pat downs and we need to understand efficacy what is being collected but a temporary measure with no further Data Collection and also to talk about briefly asking about oversight is there is independent oversight that what we are doing actually works into the privacy rights and Inspector General helps to pose problems with the with these problems. I yield back. And good to be here i appreciate you being here to testify to get to the root of the problems. Tose questions. And smaller airports. And then in my area. s and what role do you see for them . And then i get the tourismdi piece. And then to utilize a great deal. And then to get to that destination. Hi and you are absolutely correct. And then at the challenge and then it remains same for a small airport as a large airport . And jfk. And then the only way they will that they could fly to Atlantic City with aircraft. And that the airport so do their job and that to make certain that people gather is that the airlines will decide right now you are actually correct they are having a very difficult time with the cares act it in that provision of 13 million to keep them functioning. Th and everything that he noted. And with that destination. And what you mentioned and with those organizations that is another critical piece that tiis necessary. And that tax incentive and then to get back out there in society. Th and then to get that out there. And then to you need to have that to the traveler of what they can expect when they go to the airport. Thank you. And and then to deal with them over the years. It might be easier to abide by the regulations because they are smaller and quieter and its easier i was in a really crowded large airport. I know we say 6 feet apart. And we all try to maintain that. 6foot between you and me 6foot this way. I have done some air travel in my time and we are nowherera near now but to be as moderately busy everybody moves to gather in some way. And i think really close to one. Its going to be impossible to keep people 6 feet away so it is inherent by wearing the masks in the terminals. We can separate these lines as well as at the gates remember they have been the other side of restaurants. People will be bumping into each other. It is as good as they think it might be. Various doctors say various things. You know as well as i do so it is interesting, its going to be challenging. I will yield back. I would like to recognize the gentle person from california. Thank you, mr. Chairman for having thisge important hearing. We are still in the first wave seeing increased numbers across different places in the state and there is nothing more that we here from the house position how the highest risk for members of congress and travel is the airplane and airports so thats why its critically important that we get this right into what we can to make sure we are protecting passengers and employees. Thank you for starting your comments today by recognizing the important Supreme Court decisions. I want to echo those and also i can relate to the concerns. I have two sisters were Flight Attendants, and i hear a lot about what is being set on the facebook pages and among flightp attendants and the concern the Flight Attendantss were having. Number one is about the public feeling safe and coming back that we need to make sure Flight Attendants are feeling safe and from what ive heard, theres definitely been a lot of concerns from Flight Attendant that they are not getting the support they believe they should be getting so let me turn to my first question social distancing has been one of the most important recommendations we have heard from Public Health officials, and they have pushed against leaving the middle seat open for economic reasons. How does the absence to this factor implemented change in cancellation flexibility during the pandemic effect Flight Attendants and passengers . Thank you for that question. We have pushed for them to be in moved enough time. If anyone calls in sick that oeey are not disciplined for it and also if they are not taking proper cautions they are also adding. On the social distancing is no way to properly social distance on the plane. This is part of what we are talking about. We dont have the guidelines or instructions or proper training to be able to instruct passengers. Then you are not practicing all the layers of safety necessary if you cannot properly social distance so it needs to approach and i should also note for the committee is important to continue. The continuation of the cares at january said they have the ability to implement these policies with a sickleave and being able to do that also became concerned about the security they have to have security clearances they are let it from their jobs it makes it that much harder to start the economy up again so we need proper ppe and have had trouble getting it for the workers on the front lines. All of these are necessary to be addressed because the airlines are not well enough equipped to take over this one and there are the financial strains as well getting in the way. The other concern i keep hearing is whats going to happen after september 32 Flight Attendants, a lot of concern there is a provided funding to tairlines and the ability for them to a folks office only until september 30. When that comes around how do you think that the airline employees welfare, what is your estimation clocks if congresss doesnt act to o in extension all that will happen is that well be signed into there will be hundreds of thousands if theres not an extension. They believe it needs to go through the end of january through the worst of it and to get policies and procedures in place. If we do not have i that in plae there will be massive furlough was not for. Thank you foror your service. Many times people dont realize Flight Attendant Public Health professionals. With that mr. Chen and i yield back. I would like to recognize mr. Caskill for five minutes for questions. Thank you mr. Chairman. I miss seeing you and everybody. As the hearing went on today, i started thinking, and i apologize i missed some of the hearing. When we talk about the impact that can happen, for years ive been interested in the next generation of scanning and what it would do for the travel experiments. We appropriated a small amount of money to start the next generation of three d. Scanners that a while much west physical contact because they identified the anomalies for the person and only they will be taken aside. I think from a safety standpoint and health standpoint its important the more we can do to increase the throughput and get people through the checkpoint intoto the plane to keep the ple safe and healthy it part of keeping the masses moving and us are part as possible. In the next package we should really shoot for the moon. I would argue the need to get him to get to work on getting them now for the health and safety standpoint. Airports totally agree with you. To increase even prior i can remember two to three years ago there were long lines. The technology exists to help people get through quicker and safer. We are looking at a Touchless Technology where they dont have to touch anything. What i understand you look into the camera and once you go through the information is deleted. It would be an enormous amount of information to hold on any given day. At this juncture its the safety of the passengers going through with no action, scanning their own ticket, their own license and having the ability to look through at a camera walking through a scanner and the tatechnology is far better than that two or three years ago and people welcome more funding for that. Woulmake the travel experience faster and safer. Several years ago i got off the plane in ireland and get a facial recognition scan and went into customs with very little contact and had to stand in front of the camera. They didnt look at any other documents. The technology is there and the biometrics and moving people through quicker. I would urge all of my colleagues to consider this Going Forward from a hillpr safy and healthth standpoint. We absolutely agree. We absolutely support the idea of the touch debate could touchless security screening and couldnt agree more that it is a vital tool and return to travel is so important to have that confidence when they come back into the travel environment and we fully support that. [inaudible] [laughter] with that being said, i would like to recognize from florida ms. Dennings. Welcome. Thank you mr. Chairman and thank you to all of our witnesses with us today. Its good to see everybody. I also miss you all that we need to continue to do the things we are talking about today to make sure we are safe and others are safe. Irs enjoyed the discussions abot the Touchless Technology. I believe every worker in every iapassenger would appreciate us doing that so i look forward to those further discussions on those lines. There was a, discussion earlier about the absence of clear guidelines as it pertains to wearing a mask and practicing social distancing and all that. You talked about some of the challenges. They still should do what they can do and i appreciate the efforts ofpr the airlines to mae sure we are traveling as safely as possible. I know thats aaf p last few flt masks were required. Weve had some passengers who for some reason feel resistant to that so i would like to hear a little bit more. Weve had a great discussion about the cell phone is check and are we seeing zerotolerance policies because of why do we want people to be able to fly, it is still a privilege and we have an obligation to do what they can. So can you talk a little bit more about that and how is it done electronically like you mentioned earlier, did you pack your own bag, such as talk a little bit more about that please. Sure, thank you. The idea and this is when would have trained individuals who are able to recognize symptoms themselves and be able to identify that but also prompt travelers to ask questions to self evaluate their own wellbeing. This conversation here today has been a great example of why you need to get her a passport with the different stakeholders so you can make sure when you are implementing them you dont have any unintended consequences so its implemented fairly and without bias. This is about having a workforce that can help run through this with the individual and that can relate to whats happening with the employee. We are seeing some concerns right now about the airlines asking employees to input the data and privacy concerns we are expressing right now there is also disciplined lobbied against them for reporting they have the symptoms as opposed to encouraging them to stay home and be well. They have issues to i work throh and it isnt perfect because we dont have the kind of leadership and government oversight that we need to put this in place for the health and safety into this and putting it dack on to the airlines that are worried about the viability of the airline and a consideration of the financial. But of course in the absence of guidelines there is the responsibility to do that again to protect its employees. I dont want to leave you with the wrong impression because i do applaud the airlines are doing more than weve ever seen before in a situation like this, the initiative that theyve taken to address these issues and for reasons we talk about making it a requirement and not just a suggestion and if someone doesnt do that putting them on mea nofly list, those are all important steps. We believe that there needs to be backing from the federal governmentov that everyone understands we are all communicating together and the standard to train the employees on the front line and guidelines include things like the requirement you are acknowledging you will wear a mask. These kind of things should be put in place through the coordinated guidelines everyone understands and we know in a vacation it is possible you have to wear a seat belt, put up your tray table, stow your bag. These are things we do for the ability to have a flight. Like we made the adjustment after 9 11 i was assigned as a Police Captain of the Orlando International airport and just like we all have to make that adjustment, i think we will never really fully of course until the develop a vaccine return back to flying as we once knew. Hopefully in the meantime we will get technology to assist us to make it a smoother transition. Thank you to all of our guests. Mr. Chairman, i yield back. [inaudible] they meet cute cheeks as opposed to just keeping c yeah [laughter] any members wish to ask additional questions . Seeing no hands raised, i want to thank the witnesses for their valuable testimony today and the members further questions. Immo going to ask unanimous consent to insert the following documents into the record. First from the gentleman from hawaii, second, a letter from the air Line Pilots Association and david are from the blue sparks Technologies Group and forth an oped from the Consumer Reports without objections ordered. The members of the subcommittee may have additional questions for the witnesses and we ask the witnesses respond expeditiously in writing to those questions and without objection, the committee record shall be kept open for ten days. Hearing no further business before the committee, the subcommittee stands adjourned. Thank you, everybody. Thank you, mr. Chairman