On the committee with me. Thank you. Thank you as well. In the e others committee that maybe have some conflicts coming in and out but we move l with that as forward. The subcommittee is meeting oday to examine how tsa can better achieve its mission to secure Transportation Systems across the United States. Addition, the hearing will cover opportunities for tsa to to ove as it relates technological advances in communications with state, local sector partners. I now recognize myself for an opening statement. I would like to welcome everyone subcommittee on transportation and protective security in the first hearing of 115th congress, which gave us added responsibilities to have oversight of the secret tsa. Ice as well as so weve got kind of doubled on ur workload here much to the chagrin of staff. Im grateful to my constituents for giving me an opportunity and rivilege to return to congress and to continue to chair this important subcommittee. This committee has a proven working together to advance long term common sense and strategic reforms to department of Homeland Security. While there may be divisions in this room, we all share an unshakeable commitment to ensuring the ecurity of the traveling public. Because we know that the consequences of failure are just great. The Transportation Security Administration was founded just weeks after 9 11. Does best. D what it it reacted to a crisis and threw a lot of money out without sometimes thinking about the overall structure. We are nearly 16 years later, american taxpayer has spent billions of dollars and it tsa is long overdue for an overhaul. The agency has been plagued with and a lack of consistent leadership. Tsa has had six different administrators leading the agency. Six. While weve been able to advance legislation to address many of tsa faces nges that incumbent to provide leadership. Without continuity at the top its impossible for any organization to successfully a long term strategic vision. Instead weve all been left with of the fits and starts last few years. I juxtapose that, for example, an agency where the director is there for a 10year term and how the really helps moving forward. Under former administrator, tsa began to move in the right direction. A new training and Education Program was put into place for all front line employees. Was placed on engagement with the private sector and tsa launched an task force to seek out new technologies. All of these things had a positive effect on morale at some extent. While these were important first steps they did not go far enough nd now many of these potentially transformative initiatives are left to languish with yetear altogether another change in leadership when the president names a new administrator. It would be wise for the new to continue to build upon many of these initiated by es the admiral. Help garner congressional support for reform and improvement within the agency. The last few years, we saw record breaking numbers of americans traveling. Unfortunately, tsa was at times ill prepared for the volume of travelers. It was caught flat footed. At the height of the wait time crisis last summer News Coverage the country showed passengers stranded at airports overnight due to long tsa wait lines, sleeping on cots or on the floor. The number of passengers will to increase. We must ensure tsa is prepared effectively and efficiently screen passengers. Simultaneously, tsa must focus and rking with the state local partners to keep all areas of our airports safe and secure. Center ue was front and on january 7 when a disturbed individual opened fire in the claim area at the hollywood, Fort LauderdaleInternational Airport resulting five lives and scores of injuries. Air traffic was brought to a Law Enforcement officials and First Responders rushed to contain the situation. Incident served as a stark reminder of the threats acing our nations aviation system. Although tsa is one of the youngest agencies in the federal overnment its come to operate as an entrenched federal bureaucracy. It fails oftentimes to achieve important efficiency and it lacks flexibility to respond to an everchanging threat landscape. I believe with the start of this new administration we have a effect pportunity to positive change at tsa. The purpose of our hearing today is to look forward. Backwards, forward, and well hear from the many willing nd ready partners, that tsa as, to help inform us what innovations and efficiencies it could use to achieve its Critical Mission a primary sector is engine of innovation and efficiency in the u. S. Economy. The department of homeland tsa must look to them for best practices and new echnologies that can simultaneous improve Aviation Security. From forward to hearing all of our Witnesses Today on he specific reforms necessary and make the traveling public safer. With that im pleased to recognize a new Ranking Member of the subcommittee, the gentle lady from new jersey, ms. Watson coleman for her opening and make the statement. Thank you, chairman. I really appreciate this opportunity to work with you and forward to working in a bipartisan way to ensure that we effectiveness , and robust traveling economy, hat benefits from the things that we shall do together. For t to thank you convening this hearing. At the outset let me aim working with d to the transportation and security subcommittee to address those of lenges within all modes transportation. The Transportation Security Administration as well as airlines, airports, and other holders have experienced major challenges recently in security. Aviation while there have been many Lessons Learned and improvements thereo Aviation Security, is much to be done in this area. The ow, i understand that u. S. Travel association has taken time to reduce a plan for security of aviation and i look forward to hearing your perspective on how we can security while facilitating an efficient experience for travelers. Also look forward to your perspective on ensuring that the Aviation Security, which is diverted to offsetting the deficit, is utilized as a enhancing Aviation Security. He purpose for which it was originally introduced. Ms. Brooks, i look forward to hearing the perspective of stake holders ty around the world, through your expertise as head of security, Airports Council international. Aviation security is a global exposure to ur technology and diverse security olicies through the Smart Security initiative will add great value to this hearing. Thank you for i being here today. Ts owes more 738 million passengers discovered firearms in carry on bags. When things arrive at the nations checkpoint such as lengthy wait Times Associated ith the peak travel season or reported high failure rates from culvert testing, transportation bear ty officials usually the brunt of the traveling publics frustrations. We learned that a multitude of factors can contribute to these issues benot limited to technology, policies, and management. Not just transportation and Security Officers. Working day in and day out to ensure no weapon or person with ill intent is harm us via our commercial aviation system. I look forward to your testimony disparities between the rights of these federal employees in comparison to those work force. As we discuss the future of tsa we transportation security, cannot leave out the perspective of those that you represent. Believe that this subcommittee must convene a hearing on this topic that also perspective of the agency whose future were discussing. The Transportation Security Administration. Lastly, year after year the for the aviation sector s multiples higher than the funding for the service sector. Here is extensive rail structure including the amtrak northeast corridor as well as freight and commuter trains that are extremely and important to my constituents. Given the attacks on trains in in in which a metro train was the subject of a ombing that killed and injured travelers as well as an attack on a highspeed train traveling rom amsterdam to paris we must ensure that discussions of the future of tsa and transportation incorporate other modes of transportation, mr. Hairman, and i look forward to engaging in thats opportunities with you. Hose who wish to do american citizens harm will continue to attempt to exploit soft targets shore up t vulnerabilities that exist throughout all Transportation Systems. All again, i thank witnesses for appearing before us today and look forward to your testimony. The balance yield of my time, mr. Chairman. Thank you, other members of reminded that re Opening Statements may be submitted for the record. Were very pleased to have a istinguished panel here to testify before us today on this very important topic. And the idea of having you here to hear from you, the concerns you have, before we find out who the new so that when is that administrator gets here that we have some, we have a game plan to help address some of the issues. Roger st witness, mr. Dow, serves as the president and the executive officer for u. S. Travel association. Rior to joining in 2005 he had a 34year career at Marriott International and most notably, in the United States army with the 101st Airborne Division in vietnam where he the bronze star and other citations. Thats something i think about often these days as my son is career in the army, in the infantry after graduating from college, as an officer. So i will be swearing him into the army as an officer in may thats going to be a high on for for high fear or me but as you can imagine. She has worked in aviation ndustry for many years and started her aviation career at Virgin Atlantic airways. Role ition to her current she also teaches Aviation Security at mcgill university, a is a fine institution, and member of the Editorial Board of Aviation Security international. She oping at some point invites me up to montreal to see a hockey game. I would be happy to come up. Third witness is mr. Cox, jay david cox, National President of American FederationGovernment Employees who we know well. Mr. Cox was first selected august t of afge in 2012. And was reelected to a second 2015. Year term in august ive had many conversations with your group and i always find it productive, and helpful. I applaud you for that i thank i for being here today and recognize mr. Dow for his opening statement. Thank you, chairman, and thanks about son for what hes to do. And rank member Watson Coleman, im a jersey boy so i grew up in jersey. My heart is there and its good to be with you and members of thank you for allowing me to testify. U. S. Travel, im talking on which of u. S. Travel represents the entire of the travel industry which is 2. 1 economy 15. 1 r million jobs. Our mission is simple to. More people traveling to the United States and within the United States. A national riving discussion on Aviation Security and traveler security for a worked with d have every one of the administrators and look forward to working with the next administrator. A belief that greater travel and increased are mutually compatible goals. I also believe without security period. S no travel and so this is why this is so important. Five years ago we made a tsa of dation to the several points that we believe could take place. Last month we issued an update of that report and i was pleased that the chairman was with us as we rolled it tsa of several out and also us was keating. It was an event on roll call talked about items that ill get to that can make a difference. Its very important with a new of a new nd the Dawn Administration that we really make sure that were doing the ight thing for the safety of americans. Were pleased to offer many policy recommendations here, and to suggest a new series of reforms that we think give ry important, and to the American People the best investment that were making in our countrys security. We recognize tsa has a mix critical to detect and deter any threats and the challenge you mentioned, mr. Chairman, of the 750 Million People who go through airports every year. Its complex. Its expensive and its important. We recognize that tsa has made any good moves but we think there is more that can be done. As you mentioned, with the long that, there of have been some perceived failures. There have been real failures that those ception lines could make it difficult to travel. Research that shows that americans would make two or three more trips if they an they could get through airport efficiently but when they think there are big lines they avoid the trip and make the which is not as effective as we know it is facetoface. Many challenges the t is a has faced and a lot of work remains. Of the ideas weve put forward, i would like to work i would like to focus on just a recommendations in a report transforming security at update on progress. The fees went up by 1. 6 million ut the decision was made to keep the amount of money going and that overflow fund, go to the general and were strong believers that 1 3 of fees should go to improve tsa. Diverting fees and put it for the equipment, et cetera. The best way to ensure, the trusted traveler programs. The l know precheek and Global Entry Program are very effective but when it comes to those programs, i talk about the s. Ur p one is the process. Weve got to sign people up weiciently and i dont think need to have two forms of i. D. I can get on any plane, any of i. D. , th one form we can do things like that to get people signed up. Promotion. Million people signed up it would be 850 million. Hadhe private sector, if we an opportunity to get these would put ed up we money towards that. Also look at price. Businessman, thats not much but if you take a company that signs up several thousand people, we should out a way to get a volume discount. For a family of four, thats 320, so we should think about what we can do and making it a priority is very important. The next area focuses on Innovative Technology. Weve got to not just talk about technology but weve got to put place and spend the money to do so, and last place is mpower the airports in the private sector to really help and spp, which is basically the to Re Partnership program really help bring more innovative ideas, better extremely nd were interested in this, this committee is do extraordinarily say, tant work, and, as i once again, without security, no travel. Thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate your testimony. Ask youany questions to when the time comes. Appreciate that. Ms. Brooks for testimony. Thank you. Members of the subcommittee, i would like to thank you for the provide a to perspective from the council nternational, global trade representative of the worlds airport, on the advancements in Airport Security, screening particular, nd in the Smart Security project. Challenges of growing passenger numbers continues, with limited resources, the Airline Partners and the air transport joined forces in 2013 to define the future of the cabin baggage screening where passengers proceed through security with minimal convenience with got ity resource that is allocated based on risk and here airport facilities are modernized. Today its being widely recognized throughout the World Airlines and regulators. Of airportsg number around the world are putting measures in place. To deliver strength and security through a focus on risk. Etter use of existing technologies, and introduction of advanced detection capabilities. Secondly, to increase the operation and efficiency of the checkpoints including faster equipment, reduced cost to passenger and the best use of space and staff. Finally, to improve passenger and Staff Experience cues, reduction in reduced manual handling and less use of technology, intrusive and less time consuming security screening. On the screening checkpoints, it also benefits the security as the airport as a the , particularly through reduction in cues and crowds. Smart Security Program is structured through trials an tests and information sharing. Irports, recollectsors and airlines have worked together to test different technologies. And have shared their findings the project team in order to produce a set of best practices or guidance material. In turn is shared with the Wider Community so all can experience of e participants in the project. There is no one solution for all airports. Instead the project is identified, a number of omponents can be implemented depending on the regulation requirements, need, facilities and risk profile of the airport. This reason, there is not one smart checkpoint that can be model. S an exact rather, a menu of options that to meet mbined r