America about the efforts to improve the safety of airports and planes and what the federal government can do. Security wille now come to order. Thank you, Ranking Member and the panel of witnesses for joining us today. We are here to discuss proposals for how to restore our nations been so system that has devastated by covid19. We have seen passenger volume in the last few months go as low as 5 of normal. Today it is close to 15 to 20 of normal, but that is not good enough to keep the Aviation Industry in business. It is not good enough to help this nation. Know, this pandemic is unprecedented. The lack of federal leadership and interaction, coordination is very concerning to all of us. We ask the question, how can we project our frontline aviation workers and our passengers if consultation and coordination is not there. That is why Sherman Thompson and i recently sent a letter with the leadership of the Transportation Committee to the heads of dhs and tot calling for preferred and dot calling for preferred Interagency Task force to take a holistic approach to supporting our nations Aviation Industry. I am concerned about the requirements for mass Temperature Checks, Health Assessments across the Aviation Industry. A lot of different requirements, a lot of confusion. The is not good for traveling public. It creates risk for passengers and aviation workers. Trusteeto follow and expertise and recommendations of our Public Health officials. They have to be the ones front and center when it comes to public policy. Our decisions ultimately will affect millions of travelers at nearly 11 Million People whose jobs depend on a healthy aviation sector. I repeat, 11 million workers wil who depend on the Aviation Industry. Among the published cdc guidelines are social distancing measures. Stayathome orders were issued across the country and they have been credited with helping to slow the spread of this deadly virus. Social distancing measures are visible at security checkpoints and at boarding gates. However, on board, many aircraft, different images have emerged, and social media folks have crowded airfare aircraft, full of unmasked passengers. Americans are rightly surprised and troubled to see passengers forced to travel in those by allons when accounts the demand for travel is still very low. Even now we hear from airlines that limiting passenger load factors or limiting middle seats is not necessary. They are with very limited resources. That is why we must take we must make sure that the measures we put into place are effective and innovative. I look forward to hearing from witnesses who represent different parts of the industry and have different perspectives on Temperature Checks, Health Assessments, of questioners, and Contact Tracing. The complexities of air travel under covid19 have also sparked an interest in technological solutions. We have seen contact between frontline employees and passengers, critical to limit the transmission of the virus. Of equal importance is to make sure that medicine is not worse than the disease. The impact of these technologies and procedures on the privacy, civil rights, and Civil Liberties of the flying public must be communicated clearly as well. Further, any such protocols such as Temperature Checks should be subject to notice and comment by arepublic before they widespread deployed. I am stand that psa is considering installing cameras with facial Recognition Software on tsas Credential Authentication Technology or cap machines or cat machines. Before we install that kind of technology in airports, tsa has a lot of work to do. This committee has done a great deal of oversight on this issue, but there are still many concerns over Data Collection, data protection, and use of publics identity could somebody mute themselves out there . Any ones interest to see the department push out facial Recognition Technology without having the necessary protection in place. Another technology under consideration is the detection at range, which uses thermo Imaging Technology to detect metal and nonmetallic threats. However, history reminds us that the last time tsa deployed Image Technology, specifically the advanced Image Technology at checkpoints today, congress had to step in. Congress issued a deadline to stop the use of scanners that did not protect the passengers privacy, which resulted in avatar used today. Ultimately, i am looking for solutions and i want to hear from our aviation partners, and the public has a right to an state that highlights the issues that are made. I want to hear from our stakeholders, how they are protecting frontline workers. There is no Aviation Industry without the workers. Keeping workers healthy and safe, supporting them during the pandemic, will ensure that this industry and its employees make it through. Our Aviation Industry is resilient but needs all of us to Work Together to ensure the safety, security, and health of the public. And i look forward to a discussion today, and i would like to recognize the Ranking Member for an Opening Statement. The chair recognizes Ranking Member of the subcommittee, the gentlewoman from arizona, ms. Lesko, for an Opening Statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Hello to chairman thompson and Ranking Member rogers. Good to speak with you as well. I am pleased that the subcommittee is meeting today to perform oversight that is critical to both the health of our nation and our nations i am disappointed, however, that members are not allowed to meet in person. I for 1 am here in washington d. C. , and am on to other committees where we are allowed to go in person even if other members choose to go remotely. My understanding is that the committee does not allow that. While other committees have developed protocols to allow members to safely meet in committee, 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 members to be physically present further worker constituents to do so. Turning to the topic of todays hearing, i want to commend the men and women of the tsa for continuing to do their jobs. Afely throughout the pandemic even as their agency became the hardest hit department. Tsa personnel have tested positive for the virus, and tragically, five tsa personnel have lost their lives. That sincerely want to say i pray for the families, for their comfort from their loss. The Aviation Industry is one of many sectors of the economy that has been devastated by the impact of covid19. Air travelemic peak, drops below 100,000 passengers per day, a level not seen in the history of tsa, and far below the average 2. 5 million travelers today that tsa was screening prior to the virus outbreak. I can tell you from personal experience, when this whole thing kind of started and i started traveling back to washington, d. C. , there was. Aybe 12 people on the plane it has since grown. When i came last, the plane was pretty full, not totally full, but it was getting better. That is also due to the fact that my airline i travel on cut down to one nonstop flight per day. Reemergesion fully from the worst of the pandemic, we are beginning to see hope that air travel is starting to increase. With his recovery, tsa and transportation stakeholders are responding to new challenges in order to keep travelers safe and get america flying again. This process presents stakeholders and this subcommittee with important questions, including what will the tsa screening process look like . What changes need to occur for passengers to be and feel safe . And what more can be done to protect passengers from a potential second wave of coronavirus or a future pandemic . These questions and more continue to circulate within the Aviation Community, and it is my hope to hear feedback from our Stakeholder Panel today. Having recently received a briefing from tsas administrator, i am eager to ear the stakeholders on how to implement new solutions to passenger screening and safety, the aviation sector is truly on the front lines in the fight to protect Public Health and ensure the Free Movement of people. And that fuel americas economy. I really do want to thank each one of the witnesses today. We are in unprecedented times. When i first started traveling, it looks like a ghost town, like we were on some kind of movie did not exist anymore. I was often the only car pulling up to be dropped off at the airport, and so i am glad to see that it is picking up somewhat. But i do want to hear from witnesses what their recommendations are, because we honestly need to get our economy back working again. So thank you again. And i yield back. Rep. Correa thank you, can you hear me ok . I want to thank the Ranking Member. For that i would like to yield to the Ranking Member for the purpose of public policy. Thank you. Could you please explain the procedures for remote proceedings . Rep. Correa let me explain House Committee rules and processes. They will apply during these meetings. Members will be expected to adhere to those rules of the committee and the house. The committee will operate in accordance with House Resolution 965, and the subsequent guidance from rules committee w no respect the rights of all members participate. Committee will respect the rights of all members to participate. The technology we use today will members to proceed. Rep. Lesko thank you. Rep. Correa first, to simplify the order of questioning, i will establishing a quorum before voting. Members should make every effort to remain visible on the screen throughout the proceedings. If a member experiences issues with their video stream, they may proceed with solely audio to ensure connection. Provided they have been identified previously. At the beginning of this hearing, members are on mute. Members may unmute themselves in order to be recognized for the purposes of their fiveminute questioning of the witnesses. Speaking,clusion of members will be expected to then mute themselves again to prevent excess background noise. In the event that a member does not mute themselves after speaking, the clerk has been directed to mute the members to avoid background noise. Should a member wish to be recognized to make a motion, they must unmute themselves and seek recognition at the right time. Rep. Lesko thank you, mr. Chairman. Before we proceed, i have a question for the staff. Mr. Chairman, i dont know if you knew it, but your video went away and youre speaking went away for a while, at least on my end. So do we need to repeat all the stuff for the record that you said that he said when we lost connection with him . Member, any staff anybody on this call . Mr. Chairman, if you could just leav reader last paragraph one more time. Rep. Correa if a member does not mute themselves after speaking, the clerk has been directed to mute members to reduce background noise. They must seek recognition at the right time. To the staff, you might want to email all of these rules out if you have not already, because it was not the last paragraph that went out. I can go back and read the whole rep. Lesko i dont need it for me, i just dont know if it needs to be done officially or not. I can move on. Thank you, mr. Chairman. What could a member expected should they encounter technical issues during a remote event which is kind of funny, because it just happened. Rep. Correa ms. Lesko, you are prophetic. In the event that someone is not recognized for questioning, i will move to the next available member of the same party and will recognize that member at the next appropriate time slot, provided they have returned to the proceeding. Should a members time be interrupted by technical issues, i will recognize that member at the next appropriate spot for the remainder of the time once their issues have been resolved. In the event that i should encounter technical issues, vice chair of the committee, if available, or the next Senior Member of the majority, shall assume the duties of the chair until i am able to return to the proceedings. Thank you. Rep. Lesko all right, thank you. Mr. Chairman, what should members respect regarding decorum during a remote event . Rep. Correa thank you. Members are reminded that they are only allowed to attend one Virtual Event at a time. Should they need to attend another committees proceedings, please fully exit the hearings for entering another proceeding. Finally, all members are reminded that they are expected to observe standing rules of a committee decorum for appropriate attire and should have a professional and a political background when they are participating in any remote event. Rep. Lesko thank you. And what should members expect if a witness loses conductivity . Rep. Correa in the event a witness loses conductivity during testimony and questioning, i will preserve their time as staff addresses the technical issue. I may need to reset the witness to for the reconnect. Debbie, you are muted. Go ahead. Cannot hear you. I think what is happening is i am doing it and the staff is doing it. Hopefully you can hear me now. Mr. Chairman, finally, what should members expect if a vote is called during a remote event . Rep. Correa thank you. House resolution 965 requires members to be visibly present to have their vote recorded during a remote event. Members who join a proceeding after a vote is called who are not called upon for their vote should seek recognition from the chair to ensure that their vote is recorded, and should a member lose conductivity during a roll call vote connectivity during a roll call vote, i will hold the vote open for a period of time to address the issue and give them the opportunity to have their vote recorded. Rep. Lesko thank you, mr. Chairman, and i yield back. Rep. Correa with that, ask unanimous consent to waive eight sub a sub two for the recovered period designated by the speaker on the House Resolution 965. Without objection, so ordered. Thethe chair now recognizes chairperson of the full committee, the gentleman from mississippi, mr. Thompson, for an Opening Statement. Mr. Thompson . Mr. Thompson, cannot hear you, sir. Ok, i think we got it this time. For holding todays hearings. Holding the safety envision mayor travel in the era of covid19. Consists of so much more than tsa. Municipals airports, authorities, airlines, and dedicated all of the employees. Additionally, it includes civil rights and Civil Liberties, organizations, focus on travel andravelers rights in the wake of heightened concerns during coronavirus. Not only inflicted unprecedented loss of life on our country, but it has devastated Industries Including the aviation sector. Our nations Aviation System has been the front line of efforts to stop the spread of this pandemic from the beginning. Transportation Security Offices constantly interact with passengers, crew members, and airport workers, putting themselves at risk each and every day. Date 651 to tsa, to tsa employees have tested positive for the virus. Of which 468 employees have recovered and sadly, five have died. And as chairman of this committee, i had been advocated tirelessly i have advocated tiredly on behalf of the tsa workforce and has demanded they be issued appropriate equipment like gloves and masks to do their important work. They come after all, are on the front lines of aviation they, after all, are on the front lines of aviation, public globaly, during the publi pandemic. We must do everything to ensure that the public is kept safe from this virus. This includes airport workers, flight crewmembers, and mechanics. Keep these employees safe, not only of the workers but also risking further spread of the virus. Like i mentioned earlier, the impact of covid19 has been devastating to the sector. According to tsa, air travel is down 84 from this exact moment last year. Given this reality, the federal thernment must establish right health, safety, and Security Standards to protect airport workers and restore Public Confidence in travel. This will require significant coordination and collaboration on the part of agencies like tsa, the faa, and the white , coordination and collaboration that currently does not exist. Instead, we see a patchwork of standards and requirements throughout the aviation sector that the American People and the publicn traveling deserve better. That is why i call for the dhhs to ensure that all efforts and Public Policies are coordinated into highest levels in a holistic matter to ensure the recovery of the Aviation Industry. Recent news supports that the dhhs may be preparing to commence a Temperature Check program where tsa will be tasked with checking the temperature of departing passengers to identify individuals who may have covid19. ,find this news alarming given the absence of evidence that such Health Screenings are effective, especially since people can spread covid19 a symptomatically. To mention there are civil rights concerns around conducting temperature scans. I am particularly concerned about the safeguarding of information about the traveling public, airport workers, and crewmembers. Additionally, given that covid19 disproportionately impacts certain communities, including africanamericans and the elderly, any proposed Temperature Check protocol must be designed to guard against the potential discrimination of travelers. All the issues i just raised highlight that any temperature thek program must undergo regulatory process to ensure a proper rollout of Temperature Checks in our nations airports. The future of the Aviation Industry in the covid19 era will improve the number of challenges that i just outlined. As the chairman of this committee, i am committed to working with tsa and aviation stakeholders to ensure that the sector ultimately succeeds despite these challenges. I am interested in hearing from todays witnesses on how we collectively can do so. With that, mr. Chairman, i yield back the balance of my time. Rep. Correa thank you you, mr. Chairman. I would like to recognize the Ranking Member of the full for anee, mr. Rogers, Opening Statement. Welcome, mr. Rogers. Thank you, mr. Chairman, can you hear me . Rep. Correa yes. The subcommittee is meeting to i am perplexed as to why the aclu is here and not the airports. Not the air force. Members were physically present and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Minority members also were allowed to use the Committee Resolution hearings. This committee chooses not to vote in person or to meet in person. The minority looks forward to working with the majority in a bipartisan matter to allow people to be physically present for hearings in the future. Thousands of aircraft remain grounded across the United States. Assage of all them 85 ensuring travelers aviation stakeholders must work collaboratively with relevant government entities, including tsa, to restore trust in air travel. As an agency, tsa has been on the front lines throughout this pandemic. We are grateful to the thousands of tsa officers who continue to protect the traveling public. More than six and 50 of these line officers have more than 650 of these line officers have contracted the virus. Stakeholders have also seen their personnel hit hard by covid19. The healthto ensure and safety of air travelers, i look forward to what policies and procedures have been implemented in recent months. I also hope to hear from the witnesses and what additional actions will be taken to protect the flying public. I yield back the balance of my time, mr. Chairman. [no audio] i dont think we can hear you. I couldnt hear all of you either. You dropped out. Mr. Rogers, did you finish your statement . Yes, i yielded back. Rep. Correa thank you much. Other members of the committee are reminded that Opening Statements may be submitted for the record. Now i would like to welcome our panel of witnesses. Our first witness is mr. Kevin burke, president and ceo of the air force Council International north america, where hes been since 2014. Aca, the trade association representing the governing bodies that operate commercial airports in the u. S. And canada. Our second witness will be miss sarah nelson, the International President of the association of Flight Attendants, representing 50,000 Flight Attendants for 20 airlines. She has served in this capacity since 2014 and has been a union member since becoming a Flight Attendant in 1996. Our third witness, ms. Giuliani, serves as senior legislative counsel to the american Civil Liberties union. Ms. Giuliani is part of the National Political Advocacy Department that has 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. And our fourth and final witnesses, ms. Victoria emerson barnes, the executive Vice President for Public Affairs and policy at the u. S. Travel association. The association represents over 1100 members, organizations, and supports almost 60 million jobs. 16 million jobs. Objection, the witnesses full statement will be entered in the record. Now im going to ask each witness to summarize their statements in five minutes, beginning with mr. Burke. Welcome, mr. Burke. Thank you for inviting me today. Please excuse my voice. It is allergy time and im doing my best. To get through a fiveminute statement and ask questions later. Im kevin burke, president and ceo of the trade association representing airports in the United States and canada. I welcome this opportunity to discuss the current state of americas airports. Dd new policy recommendations setting solid foundations for the future of aviation. Since the outbreak of covid19, airports have been focused on providing for the health and safety of passengers and employees and their tenants, to raise Public Awareness about reducing the spread of covid19, updating public websites, installing signage, and making public announcements about safety. Airports have also implemented numerous mitigation measures. That includes deploying additional Hand Sanitizer stations and plexiglass barriers at ticket counters and gates and in restrooms. Airports are also working to ensure physical distancing. Which is a very large challenge. Airports have increased the frequency of cleaning with an intense focus on touch points. As we continue to navigate these unprecedented times, airports are grateful for the 10 billion in Emergency Support provided through the cares act. Frankly, ladies and gentlemen, it was a lifeline for every commercial airport in this country. The cares act grants are helping airports offset some of the damage. Airports nationwide still face major financial and operational hurdles. Now, as all of you who travel to district tor know, americas airports are hurting. With passenger traffic down nearly 90 from this time last year, u. S. Airports face at least 23 billion in operating losses as a result of the covid19 pandemic. On top of that, these airports face significant operating expenses, cleaning, deploying Hand Sanitizer, installing plexiglass barriers, and encouraging physical airports. Distance in our airports. Airports are working hard to cut their budgets and plan for the new airport experience once this covid19 pandemic gets out of the way. We want to keep people working at our airports. We continue to coordinate closely with the faa and tsa, customs and Border Protection, and others on recovery efforts, regulatory guidance, and regulatory flexibility. To help airports remain open while ensuring the safety and security of the traveling public. I want to commend the Agency Leaders for partnering with us and other airport members on these initiatives and for their extraordinary accessibility and assistance during this challenging time. My written statement details federal policy solutions to assist airports and aviation as we head toward recovery. I would like to highlight three key points. First, with revenues down significantly, u. S. Airports need another infusion of federal funds during this national emergency. 13 billion in additional Emergency Assistance is needed to help airports keep up with costs in the coming year. Second, u. S. Airports are working with stakeholders to develop and implement new measures to protect Public Health. We need a touchless Aviation Security screening process for to help with adequate physical distancing for passengers and their baggage as they move through checkpoints and customs and Border Protection points of entry. To achieve this, we recommend the following. New technology that reduces touch points, maintains physical distancing, and increases security. We also need a sufficient number of tsa officers, providing for that critical social distancing. More support for existing programs like janitorial reimbursement, Law Enforcement officer reimbursement, and explosives detection systems. We also need a new Airport Security Grant Program to fund perimeter security, checkpoint redesign, and Emergency Operations centers. And enhanced closedcircuit tv. Third, we recommend the establishment of a joint Advisory Panel involving dhs, d. O. T. , hhs, the state department, and industry stakeholders to develop recommendations for the operational and Technology Issues related to pandemic planning. Airports are leading economic engines in your districts and communities and investments in airports have multiplied impacts throughout the region. I look forward to working together to help airports weather this crisis, to get americans back to work and back traveling again in a system that is safer, stronger, more secure, and more resilient than ever. Thank you for this opportunity. I welcome your questions. Rep. Correa thank you very much. I now recognize ms. Nelson to summarize her statements in five minutes. Ms. Nelson thank you, chairman, Ranking Members, for the opportunity to testify today. My name is sarah nelson. I am a 24 year union Flight Attendant president representing , Flight Attendants across the industry. The coronavirus is by far the largest crisis ever experienced in aviation. We must make substantial changes. Just as we did under the leadership of president george w. Bush in the aftermath of 9 11, starting with new emergency procedures and acted enacted as early as september 12, 2001. Airlines have been responsive to our concerns on certain safety policies. All Major Airlines have put in place the requirement of masks in the airport and on the plane. After nearly 120,000 americans have died, no Contact Tracing or containment in place, we are just now in phase three of these requirements. Without instruction from government and Airline Passengers and crew, Flight Attendants are left to manage a hodgepodge of Airline Policies on the front lines. Most travelers comply with masked requirements, but conflict still flares up as some are led to believe masks are a political statement rather than a Public Health this city. Safety is built with a layered rather than a Public Health necessity. Safety is built with a layered approach. This is why we have a department of transportation. Consider every touch point and coordinate private, public, and federal Sector Workers and services to facilitate safe travel. Without a federal requirement, including procurement of proper ppe, we leave many opportunities for spread, creating Unnecessary Health risks. Our union has written to d. O. T. And hhs to urge the departments to issue emergency rules and we would expect them to work with dhs as well. Statements by d. O. T. Indicate the department does not believe it has a role in Public Health regulation, but the recent ban on ecigarette use aboard aircraft was to reduce the risk of Adverse Health effects on passengers and crew members. We support daily health and wellness assessments before we report for duty and for passengers before they fly. This can and should be done without requiring workers or passengers to reveal private health information. Creating Community Health at airports can also create good jobs to help reverse sky high unemployment. Staying off a flight to protect health and safety should never result in discipline for workers. But many carriers have longstanding punitive policies that can lead to discipline or termination for use of legitimate sick leave. Without federal guidelines, airlines will choose to do for themselves what policies they will put in place. Delta airlines has announced it will apply disciplinary points for any callouts based on new covid19 symptoms checks. Many other carriers have instructed flight crews to follow federal guidelines and stay home if ill but have not committed to protect workers who follow the rules. Congress can help these industries by working with federal regulators to protect jobs, pay, and benefits of any aviation worker who is unable to fly because of covid19 symptoms. Standards for health and safety will be impossible to implement without the dedicated, highly trained and credentialed workforce. Flight attendants and aviation workers have been on the front lines since the earliest stage. We are essential to our nations ability to function. That is why members of both parties joined together this past march to pass the historic workers first relief package for aviation workers in the cares act. The Payroll Support Program has kept close to a million workers in jobs and connected to health care and other benefits through september 30. I urge the members of this committee to support a clean extension of the pfp through at least january 31, 2021, without which we will lose hundreds to furloughs and layoffs. Finally i would like to recognize the critical need to address the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on black lives. We must do everything we can in every sector to make sure we implement antiracist policies. Coronavirus lays bare that an injury to one is an injury to all. We also celebrate Major Supreme Court cases this week that are a step forward on antidiscrimination. The last thing we need in the middle of a pandemic is removing dreamers or lgbtq workers from their jobs and health care. These rulings acknowledge the dignity of american workers. Thank you so much for your time, attention, and action. Flight attendants appreciate the work of this committee so much. We depend on you, and we look forward to your questions. Rep. Correa thank you for your testimony. Now i would like to recognize ms. Giuliani to summarize her statement for five minutes. Welcome. Ms. Giuliani thank you for the opportunity to testify today. [inaudible] both resulted in a tragic lossoflife. Both upended the Aviation Industry. Both triggered quick and massive investments. After 9 11, we wasted billions of dollars in many failed programs that did not make us safer and violated Civil Liberties. As we grapple with covid19, we must be vigilant to not repeat the mistakes of the past, where we rushed to implement many measures that were ineffective and inconsistent with our values. This takes for getting it right are high. If our aviation response is ineffective or privacy invasive, it will not only hurt air travel. It will also undermine Public Health efforts by decreasing trust and increasing community transmission. Fortunately, Public Health professionals have provided guidance on how we can avoid the mistakes of the past. These experts have emphasized that the most effective measures are rooted in public trust and voluntary compliance. They have cautioned against a Law Enforcement approach. Some of the best ways to make air travel safer are lowtech and if implemented correctly will likely have a minimal impact on individual flights. These include reducing how crowded airplanes are and taking basic health precautions. Like handwashing and wearing a mask. It also includes making it easier for individuals to change travel plans without penalty if they are exhibiting symptoms or may have been exposed to disease. And providing flexible paid leave to all employees so workers do not suffer financially when they take steps to protect us all. An approach rooted in compliance and trust is also consistent with our values. As we consider new measures, we must remember that the right to travel is not a luxury. It is a constitutional right. As the former Supreme Court Justice William douglas observed, freedom of movement is an aspect of free society. The Supreme Court has recognized that the right of travel is protected under the sixth amendment. It cannot be denied without due process of law. It also implicates the first amendment. It is unconstitutional to deny individuals the right to fly in ways that are unnecessary, arbitrary, or discriminatory. Given this, any new measure should reflect the following five principles. It must be recommended by Public Health agencies and developed in concert with Public Health officials. For example, if reports are accurate and the cdc recommended against Temperature Checks in airports as a poorly designed detection strategy, they should not be deployed. If they are, they must meet clearly established benchmarks. Any measure must not improperly restrict rights to travel. For example using temperature , checks as the sole basis for barring people from traveling would be inherently overbroad. Individuals who might have fevers for reasons unrelated to covid19, people with chronic illnesses. Thus at most, an elevated temperature should merely trigger further investigation. With avenues for redress. Three, any measure deployed should not collect additional personal data unless it is fully transparent and strictly necessary from a Public Health standpoint. This information should only be stored and used by Public Health agencies for Public Health purposes and not maintained on dhs databases, shared with Law Enforcement or immigration agencies, or used for any other purpose. The last thing we want is people being fearful about how such information could be used against them. Proposals like the tsas expansion or other uses of face Recognition Technology, should be rejected as a response to covid. Tsas most recent assessment goes beyond the mask system to permit networking with a secure flight system. There are countless other less costly and less invasive ways to transmission of disease on travel documents. Like asking someone to hold their document for you instead of handing it to somebody. These options do not involve the multitude of privacy concerns of facial recognition. Suggesting such expansion should move forward will cause travelers to question the legitimacy of other measures going forward. There must be proactive transparency and accountability. This will require many things, but at a minimum, independent oversight body. Assess any proposed measure for effectiveness and privacy. Include it should also compliance with existing requirements. Finally, any measure adopted should enter the pandemic. Invasive measures should not become the new normal. To the extent something proved to have other benefits, it should be evaluated separately. To ensure it meets travel needs and preserves privacy. Covid19 offers an opportunity for us to adopt positive changes in aviation. Enhanced trust and Public Health. I look forward to working with the subcommittee to make travel safer and avoid the pitfalls of the past. Thank you. Rep. Correa thank you, ms. Giuliani. Now i recognize ms. Barnes to summarize her statements in five minutes. Ms. Barnes, welcome. Ms. Barnes thanks. Chairman, Ranking Members, good afternoon. Im the executive Vice President of Public Affairs and policy for the travel association. Thank you for inviting the broader industry to participate in this hearing. Covid19e devastating endemic, travel supported 15. 8 million american jobs. Now the nations seventh largest workforce has been cut in half. With more than 8 million jobs lost. Totaling a third of all jobs lost since march. This represents a total Economic Impact nine times greater than the 9 11 attacks. Simply put, the only way to restore the economy will be to restore travel. Two restore travel, we must make sure that americans are willing and able to fly again. According to a survey, more than half of americans said they feel safe taking a road trip, compared to just 21 who say they feel safe flying by air. Said they wills not fly by air until at least march of 2021, if not later. That is why im here today, to discuss the hurdles we must overcome to restore air travel and what congress, tsa, cbt, and the entire industry can do to help. There are several opportunities and solutions. Today i would like to focus on three areas. One, implementing health and safety guidance to protect aviation workers and customers. Two, clearly communicating with travelers about what is being done to help keep them safe. Three, steps congress can take to accelerate recovery and invest in the longterm competitiveness of our Aviation Industry. After 9 11, Industry Leaders said without security there will be no travel. The Global Pandemic requires a similar approach. To promote thee health and safety of travelers and workers, there can be no travel, no reopening of businesses, no revival of our economy. To that end, u. S. Travel convened a task force of Health Experts and travel Industry Leaders to create a poor sense a core sense of health and safety guidance that the industry can adapt to reopen responsibly. This includes increased sanitation, transmission barriers, and touch solutions. Tsa and cbp must protect the health and safety of travelers and workers. Tsa can focus resources on requiring masks at security checkpoints, modifying security lines to allow for physical distancing, and enhancing sanitation. Tsa and cbp must take a flexible, layered, riskbased approach to health and safety. Where physical distancing is not fully possible, other measures must be put into place. Similar to security challenges, we will never eliminate 100 of the risk. But a layered, riskbased response could be enormously beneficial. As we saw in the early days, once a standard is introduced, it is hard to roll it back. Any measures put in place must be temporary. It is critical that cbp and tsa work with the broader travel industry to facilitate Consumer Confidence by clearly communicating health and safety procedures that passengers can expect. There are several steps that congress can take to mitigate this damage. Enhancing a temporary travel tax credit, restoring the business entertainment tax deduction, and funding a local campaign for the United States domestically. Another important longterm solution is the widespread implementation of up to in biometric identification and clear contactless identification systems. The travel industry and the larger American Economy will not recover on its own. We need stimulus, planning, and Clear Communication to travelers and employees to ensure travel can safely resume. And help power our nations economic revival. The problem is not going to look the same as it did before the pandemic. Every segment of the travel and Aviation Community has made significant changes to protect the health and safety of all travelers and workers. Thank you again to the subcommittee for having me here today. I look forward to your questions. Thank you, ms. Barnes. Ill remind each member that he or she will have five minutes to question the panel and ill recognize myself for five minutes of questions. I would like to start with where ms. Barnes ended. It is often said that the u. S. Airline industry is the hub of International Air logistics. We provide the world with all kinds of products. We are the center, so to speak, of the world in terms of transportation, delivery of goods and services. Just to let you know how personal the industry is, the biggest employer in my district is disneyland. They remain closed. They will open up probably sometime in july, but i would imagine that getting tourists back to Southern California is going to be a long track. The issue, like ms. Giuliani said, was trust and confidence. How do we get voluntary compliance . How do we get folks to start traveling again . Probably 98 of my Hotel Employees are out of a job right now, they are not going to last long. My question is, weve got mr. Burke with the airport council, ms. Nelson, Flight Attendants. Essentially you are representing the employees. Ms. Giuliani, you are talking about the civil rights of how far we can go in terms of addressing these issues. Ms. Barnes, the travel association. If any of you could take about a minute to tell me, what are the top two or three things we need to do to get folks to start traveling again in a safe manner . Mr. Burke. Mr. Burke mr. Chairman, we have to make the American Public feel safe. This disease has terrified americans. Rightfully so. Rep. Correa let me interrupt you and say, how do you do it with everybody having that confidence and that trust . That is what the chairman and i talked about. What are the top two or three things we have to do to make people believe they can travel again safely . Mr. Burke we have to convince them that going into an airport, they will be safe. If the employees there are required to wear masks. If they are required to wear masks on airplanes. If they socially distance. We have to, as public institutions, make people feel as though the travel experience is not as terrifying as they think it is going to be. As people begin to travel again, the proof is in the pudding. The more we protect the traveling public, the better the results, the more people want to travel. That requires collaboration between the private sector, the airports, the airlines, and the regulatory industries. We have done a tremendous job with the campaign in particular [inaudible] ms. Nelson thank you so much. definitely we need to make sure that the mass policies are applied across the airport and backed up by federal regulations. We need to be doing selfassessment, wellness checks, and that can be done with individuals who are sent to our reports who are trained to do that. We have a model just like this. This is used as a means to get travelers to think about their security and to make sure that we are rooting out as many risks as possible through this assessment. So your document. Keep fromg people to violating security peach years security features, we have to have these policies in the airport. This is impossible on the plane, although rep. Correa thank you. Ms. Giuliani . Ms. Giuliani we need trust and confidence. Two things that would help with that effort one, clear public benchmarks for how youre going to measure the effectiveness. That we have knows met those benchmarks, they will have more trouble. The second thing is making sure that any information selected for what is necessary that is only going to be used for health purposes. Disclosing information about thei life and medical facts. I worry that they will not undertake the voluntary compliance measures that are necessary. Rep. Correa thank you. Ms. Barnes, last comment. Ms. Barnes completely agree that a Clear Communication of health and safety guidance is absolutely necessary. We have a lot of data that ensures the right medications, as many as we also think that the Touchless Solutions that you can achieve through Biometric Technology is something that should be on the table here, something that could help improve the experience. We also think that again, tsa can collectively send the same absence ofd in the the ability to have physical distances, then you need to be able to wear a mask. Done, with the the airports, we think that should apply across the board. Clear articulation of the policies are absolutely critical. Rep. Correa thank you, ms. Barnes. I would like to recognize the Ranking Member of the subcommittee, ms. Lesko. Rep. Lesko it looks like he was on a plane and walked to the airport and is now on another plane. No, he is in a car now, i think. Very appropriate. Callappropriate on this that you were on a plane and walked to the airport. Airlines were on this committee because i have a couple of suggestions for them. I do think that having people , for me personally, makes me feel better. At the person sitting behind me is not going to cough on me. But also, when i was on a call with the airlines a couple of weeks ago, they had said they thought they were going to have people board from the back of the plane instead of the way they are now. Know wondering, i do not who to ask this of, maybe the Flight Attendants. Do you think that would be helpful . Do you think that would help people feel better . I usually try to wait until the end to get on a plane. Some of the airlines are implementing policies like that. Some of the airlines do you have policies to board back to front. Have forher question i mr. Burke is about the airports itself and the tenants. When i go into the airport, it is getting a little better now, but most of the stores are closed. A lot of the restaurants are closed. How are the airports dealing with the tenants . Are you giving them some rent breaks . What is happening . Question, madam congressman. It depends on what their contracts are. Some have closed because there is no business for them. It has been a very difficult time. We hope to have those tenants when things combat. They cannot pay rent when they have no money coming to them. Some of the airports in this country have given abatement. Been a little uneven. Airports have done their best to help other tenants. Passengers are going to need these tenants to be able to buy things. Right now, they do grab and go. The airport is making test working with tenants to make sure they are safe. One of the things we have is airportsseparation in who were not built for this type of crisis. Separating people with gates. Means six byration six by six by six. Airport jargon, that is a big piece of real estate. Wearing masks is going to be key and we welcome several guidelines. Absent those federal guidelines, we would accept any regulations from state and local authorities. We think the federal government, on a temporary basis, should put out some guidance to require people to wear masks on airports to protect vendors. Thinkthe one hand, i previous testimony and previous about patconcerned downs. They are concerned about new technologies that it would actually eliminate more of the use for patdowns. I am trying to reconcile where you at and how we can solve this problem because on the one hand, we do not want them but it seems you are testing technologies. Past, tsa has tried to detection outside of the airport context. Within the airport context, there are questions. About whether that kind of thermal detection would be helpful. There are a lot of false positives. If it is done in a way where it proven to be effective, a temporary measure is certainly possible. We just have to have the data and information to understand what exactly is being done and to what extent. Up butow that my time is i do know that if there are good systems, the National Institute of science has said these are really good, the technology is really good and does not have i yield back. Rep. Correa the chair will recognize other members for questions. They may wish to ask the witnesses. I will recognize members in order of seniority moving between majority and minority. Members are reminded to mute themselves. I would recognize the chair of the full committee, mr. Thompson, for five minutes of questions. Thank you very much, mr. Chair. Thank you to the witnesses for their testimony today. When we had the unfortunate 11, we put september created thinking and we tsa and we did a lot of things. Burke, are there some things being put into place now that you think maybe be should become the the protocol of in this covid19 environment . Mr. Chairman, thank you for the question. I think what is happening now, what are responding it will look like when air traffic is 50 or 60 or 70 . We could have a long period of time is social separation of six feet. How do you do that in limited space . Usedf plexiglas is being in industries across the country. The use of masks. We would welcome regulations on a temporary basis that you should wear a mask in an airport. If you have to wear it on an airplane, you should be wearing yourrough your trip trip to the airport. Through the airport. We need tobe able get more funding in the future it willcould require a good deal of money and in the structure change. In the middle of january, people will be standing in line outside minneapolis when it is 27 degrees below zero or 115 degrees in phoenix in the summer. Logistics are very complicated. What it will acquire, if we have to make these changes, we will need money. To adapt to a system that is thrown upon us. We are willing to work and be able to do this but we need the money to do it. Do you have any comments on that . Writeould like to really what was said reiterate what was said and we do need flexibility to be able to put these things in place. There are a lot of issues to deal with and what we need to do, especially, is we need to have these procedures in place before we have people return to travel. Lines, we are going to have a much harder time [indiscernible] having procedures for wellness tests and Hand Sanitizer. All that that needs to be put in place now. [indiscernible] mr. Thompson thank you much for both of your comments. One of the things that t. S. A. Did, they talked about a biometric map. And as we look toward the future and look at what opportunities re out there and obviously enhanced interests, ms. Giuliani, what are your thoughts out the prospect that t. S. A. Expands its biometrics operations beyond the known Traveler Program . Im very concerned about the proposed t. S. A. Road map. We dont have clear legislation or rulemaking around how facial recognition is going to be used by t. S. A. That is a serious problem and there are concerns. [indiscernible] and even beyond that if we look at the full t. S. A. Road map and contemplates integration with the other d. H. S. Bases. Raises serious questions. How are we going to preserve privacy and we are having a National Conversation whether we nt facial recognition by the u. S. Government at all. Hawaii, and y in expand facial recognition [indiscernible] how the information is being tested and ties to a Covid Response at all. R. Thompson ok. Ms. Barnes do you have [indiscernible] can promote the opportunities. Its proven to be safe, secure and accurate and we support make for travelers and not mandatory and choose to take that route. That will alleviate the lines and other parts of the airport. That is something that should be consider. We need clearly guidance but biometrics can move into a more secure and more confident traveler. Mr. Thompson i yield back, mr. Chair. I would like to recognize the Ranking Member of the full committee, mr. Rogers from alabama. Mr. Rogers ms. Barnes, you talked about in your Opening Statement the need for more better communication between t. S. A. And c. B. P. , what are examples about approaches we can take . C. B. P. Is a. And clearly enhancing. They did a united communication on that. They talked very clearly about the need for cleaning and social distancing. So we think to the extent that they articulated the need for masks that there are procedures in place and we in the travel industry are happy to amplify all the communications that are being done and what the traveler needs to understand that there is a consistency and their health and safety is being put first and foremost and to the extent they can collaborate and we can help to amplify that, that would be appreciated. Mr. Rogers to give come for the to the traveling public to start traveling again. You didnt reply to his question. What are the most essential thins we can do to invigorate confidence in the traveling public . Clearly communicating health and safety guidance and articulating the things that consistent. We work with different organizations throughout the whole travel ecosystem and recommend to include roviding solutions, enhanced communication, encouraging that there are procedures for testing as necessary. But really health and safety guidance is thoroughly communicated. The biometric component and there is that kind of option for travelers can help clear up the congestion issues and also present a more confident traveling experience. And then again the clear message we would like to see across the government on what the expectations can be for the travelers so when they go from one state to another there is an overarching communication of what to expect. Mr. Rogers in your testimony you note that the government should conduct Health Monitoring of passengers, industry, including the possibility of Temperature Checks and you note that the lack of government plan is that Temperature Checks are not occurring and suggest that a new federal work force besides the t. S. A. Could perform the role of taking passenger temperatures. Chairman thompson listed a variety of concerns that i share that go along with this temperature taking and you heard ms. Giuliani list some civil rights concerns. How would you respond to chairman topp sons expressed concerns that go along with this temperature taking in ms. Giulianis statements . We are using Temperature Checks as an example of coirs checks and not be the end all. And have the committee and anyone working on puting these procedures in place is checks. Walking people through questions and help themselves identify and have they been in contact with anyone that has coronavirus in the past 14 days. Have you had a rise in temperature. Have you had a cough. There are a series of questions that have been asked. And what this will do is will create a did he terpt and get travelers thinking about these issues and take self responsibility and it will limit the number of people entering the airport who may be at risk. This isnt going to eliminate the risk of coronavirus but you have a layered approach with the masks and Hand Sanitizer but it eliminate the risks. Mr. Rogers i yield back. Thank you very much. I would like to recognize for five minutes, the gentleman, mr. Cleaver. Mr. Cleaver thank you. I appreciate you calling this hearing and increasingly important to me as i listen to our great witnesses. I have a say 97yearold father who is probably going to go into a facility. E doesntville alzheimers but going through a difficult time. I was upset when i got to the facility to find out that the admitance to the fall silt was based first and foremost on whether or not you had a temperature. And on the surface, it sounds reasonable and, you know, presented. Black and brown people have diss d states proportionately higher blood essure than others as it relates to hypertension and other diseases and the reasons for these disparities remain unclear. There is no definitive study with you the fact remains when you take temperatures that allow eople to admit allow people admitance based on temperature, but because of the hypertension and diabetes and so forth that Blood Pressure is probably always going to be teatering a bit higher. As these issues are being discussed, my number one concern uld be that i dont think that would be [indiscernible] but thats what we talk about. It will keep more black and brown people off of airplanes. I think you have identified a real problem with Temperature Checks. There is the threshold question are these helpful. There is some suggestion that they are not effective of identifying people with covid. If you take medication that might suppress your fever. Many people who have covid are ea symptomatic and we are going to need allowances people who have a fever, if you are pregnant, hypertension and you have a fever for other reasons. The last thing we want is not denying their constitutional right to travel. If there is a Temperature Check, it should trigger further conversation and individual needs to have and whether there are alternative reasons and whether they are at risk or do indeed have covid. Mr. Cleaver yield back my time. Thank you very much. I would like to recognize mr. Bishop, congressman member bishop for five minutes of questioning. Mr. Bishop im going to yield. Appreciate it. Be safe, sir. I would like to recognize ms. Watson coleman. Thank you to the witnesses that we had today. I find your testimony very interesting. Two things stick out with me. One there is need of a task force of some sort to bring together some universal guidelines that make sense during this period of time. I believe it was suggested that a number of departments or Department Components could be in this but i think ms. Barnes suggested some jouds outside experts and i want to hear what people should be considered and the other one was oversight of the implementation of the guidelines. I believe more than one person mentioned that and how do you see that happening . The third thing and this is from [indiscernible] what are the things that are being implemented during this particular time to try to make people as safe as possible and give us as much confidence to the traveler as possible that you believe can be permitted now but should end when the pandemic ends . And those are my questions, mr. Chair. Very l start thank you much for the question. One of the things we focused on s the layered approach and not overly prescriptive that it cant be phased out over time with the pandemic. We conveeped a group of 30 different organizations and many of us have members so it is even broader than that working with medical professionals and Infectious Disease doctors and other communities to talk through what are medley necessary options for helping to stop the spread of covid and also to help the passenger confidence. Have you committed those have you submitted those recommendations to any of the federal departments . And if so, have you gotten a response . Has anything happened as a result of your coming together and proposing some proposed safety and Health Guidelines . We submitted it to the white house and c. D. A. And all the governors and submitted testimony to the committee and would like to talk to you about that in more detail. But we do think having that consistency is critical. Ms. Giuliani with regard to those measures that are trying to be or should be implemented during this period of time including technology reduce the touching and interaction of employees and passengers . What are the things you think are ok to be done in screening . What are the things are ok but need to be eliminated the moment the pandemic is supposedly ended . Public health and respect for Civil Liberties. Things like mask requirements. Give information to the public and allowances for people who may not be able to wear a mask for medical in nature. That is something that can be done and consistent with what Public Health officials have recommended and something that nelson talked about is efforts to provide communication and ability for people to selfmonitor and check themselves. Hat is a scenario. And mechanisms prompt to selfmonitoring. Efforts to reduce patdowns which the Ranking Member talked about. We need more information and we need to understand efffa cast si and what information is being collected but a temporary information with no Data Collection is effortless and could also work is something. You asked about oversight. One of the really important pieces of all of this is to make sure there is independent oversight by the g. A. O. To make sure what we are doing actually works if not window dressing and privacy rights are being respected. In the past we have seen programs like caps 2. Inspector general and g. A. O. Reports help expose problems that prompted discontinuation of programs that had these problems. Thank you very much. I yield back. I would like to recognize mr. Van drew. Welcome back, sir. Thank you. Its good to be here. I appreciate all of you being here to testify. Certainly weve got to get rid of these problems. I have two questions. One question i guess would be to mr. Burke, maybe ms. Barnes. Smaller airports, we think we are talking kennedy, we are talking about, you know, some of the very large airports, but we have small airports like atlantic city. What role do you see for them . Are they all going to survive . How are the changes going to be different for them . Because they are significantly different. Especially when i think of the tourism piece because that is my area, small airports are utilized a great deal in tourism for people to get to their destination. This is mr. Burke. Thank you for the question. Small airports have taken a huge hit in this crisis, and youre absolutely correct. Down now, with employment 90 , thats a challenge, but the Health Challenge remains the same for small airports as it does for large airports. Cityngers from atlantic have to be treated with the same level of care is people going to philadelphia or any other large city. The challenge is getting people back to the airport, making them feel safe. The only they will get back is if flights return to those airports, when airlines take the decision they will be able to fly to atlantic city, provide aircraft for people to go to indianapolis from atlantic city. People feelout when safe to come back out. Airports will do their job to keep passengers safe inside the airport. When it comes to making certain that people travel, theres a whole bunch of factors, one of which is when airlines decide theyre going to increase employment, they were due much better, but right now, youre absolutely correct small airports are having a very difficult time. From the cares act, but that money will not last forever. That is why we are asking for more money in the next cares act provision. A lot of that will go to small airports to keep them functioning. Thank you. Thank you, congressman. What kevin said with everything that he noted, and i would add onto that the continued need for relief. Kevin mentioned additional dollars for airports. I think it is the destinations that are so important, that will help draw visitors back to destinations. Its really another critical piece of relief that is necessary, and additionally, we that more phases of the cares act can include some tax incentive to help encourage individual travelers to get back out there and to fly again. Happy to work with your team on that, but we really think it is the added stimulus that will help get folks out there, in addition to what we have been saying, the need to have that clear, consistent message communicated to the traveler about what they can expect when they go to an airport of any size and get on an airplane, or or othero to a hotel destination. I thank you for that. It seems to me that smaller airports in some way and i have dealt with them over the years, to it might almost be easier to make them be able to actually abide by whatever the regulations finally end up being because they are smaller, quieter, and it is easier to have the distancing and so forth in those areas other than the really crowded, large airports, and that is the other question i wanted to ask you as well. Understand six feet apart is the distancing and that we all try to maintain that. However, if you really think six feet between you and me and six this way and sixfoot this way and sixfoot behind ive done some air travel in my time. When even an airport is , everybody isy kind of moving together in some way, and i think that, you know, the masks are much easier and the Hand Sanitizer is much easier i would think that would be really difficult to do at certain times, once we are really back. Thef you wear masks, sixfoot separation could be changed. That is if everybody is Wearing Masks. Youre correct, the geography of airports are different. Its difficult to be able to figure out at 2 load factor, 70 load factor. Going to be physically impossible to keep people six feet away, so it is inherent people protect themselves by wearing these masks inside these terminals. Stand at these terminals where we can separate these lines, gaetz bumped into into gates. Es bump as people come back to airports, its going to be very difficult to enforce. People will be bumping into each other. Is important. And we pray that Wearing Masks is as good as they think it might be. Various doctors say various things about the value of the mask. You are only protecting the other person or it depends which mask you are wearing, how you are wearing. Do many as well as i people wear the mask on half their face, their nose is completely free. Its going to be challenging. I yield back. Thank you. Thank you. I would like to recognize the gentle person from california. Thank you for having this important hearing. Wave, still in the first and this is still very real. We are seeing increased numbers across different places in the we hear how the highest risk for members of congress and for travel, really, is the airplane and airport. That is why i think it is so critically important that we get this right and do what we can to make sure we are protecting passengers and employees. Ms. Nelson, thank you for starting your comments today by recognizing the two very important Supreme Court decisions, and your comments there, i want to echo those. I also want to say that i can relate to a lot of your concerns. Who arewo sisters Flight Attendants, and i hear a lot about what is being said on facebook pages, what is being said among Flight Attendants, and the concern that Flight Attendants are having, number one, about the public feeling safe and coming back, but we need to make sure Flight Attendants are feeling safe. From what ive heard, there has definitely been a lot of concern that theyt attendants are not getting the support that they believe they should be getting. Let me turn to my first question for you, misses nelson. Social distancing has been one of the most important recommendations as we have heard from Public Health officials. Airlines have aggressively leaving a middle seat open for economic reasons. I can understand that. How does perspective, the option to limit loads factor and cancel flexibility during this pandemic affect Flight Attendants and passengers . Thank you for that question. We have pushed for change fees to be waived during this time. A be so anyone calling in it needs to be so anyone calling in does not get penalized. On the social distancing, theres no way to properly socially distance on the plane. That is why we need to have requirements for the masks. Mr. Van drew brought up the issue of people not knowing how to wear the masks. This is part of what we are talking about. We dont have clear guidelines, and you dont have clear instructions, and you do not even have proper training for the cruise be able to instruct passengers or give those instructions. All, you are not practicing of the letters of safety that are necessary to make up for the fact that you are working in a space that you cannot properly socially distance. I should note also for this committee that it is very, very important to continue those job protections as well, the continuation of the cares act through the end of january so airlines have the ability to. Mplement these policies also, this committee would treat concerned about the security provisions in place. People who work at the airline also have to have security clearance as they are let go from their jobs, then it makes it that much harder to start up the economy again, so we need proper ppe. We also have had a problem with supply chains and getting the proper ppe for workers on the front lines gate agents, Flight Attendants who are coming most in contact with passengers but all these issues are necessary to address by the federal government because airlines are not well enough equipped to take this on and put the proper procedures in place, and there are the financial strains, too, that are getting in the way. Thank you. The other concern i keep hearing is what is going to happen after september 30. What is going to happen to Flight Attendants. A lot of concern. If Congress Passes the cares act and provides funding to airlines, i think the ability for them to lay folks off is only through september 30. How do you think airline welfare elfare will fatere . All that will happen is that pink slips will be signed and they will be on and the hundred thousands on october 1 if there is not an extension. We believe that needs to go through the end of january to get us through the worst of this and to get policies and procedures in place that get people flying in the holidays. That will get us through the worst of it, we believe, but if we do not have that in place, there will be massive or lowes in october. Thank you for your service. There will be massive furloughs in october. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your testimony today. With that, i yield back. Thank you. Welcome, sir. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I wanted to touch base and wish you all well. I this hearing went on today, started thinking, and i apologize if i missed part of use oftimony, but our technology and the impact that can have on the travel experience. Im particularly interested in the next generation of scanners and because of covid, what that the safety and health of the tso. We appropriated a small amount of money to start the next generation of 3d scanners. As you all know, they allow the tsa to have much less physical contact with bags because the scanners will identify the contents for the person. I just think from a safety standpoint, from an Anti Terrorist standpoint, and now from a health standpoint, it is important. Increasewe can do to the throughput and get people through the checkpoint and to , keeping planes safe and healthy is important, but i movingeeping the masses is really important. I dont know how you can keep people six feet apart. The throughput to me is very important. I think in the next package, we should really shoot for the moon, and i ask my colleagues to try to get full funding. At the rate we are going, were not going to get it for 10 years, and they will probably be obsolete by that point. I would argue we need to work on getting the scanners now from a health and safety standpoint. I just want to see what you think. The airports totally agree with you. We have been supportive of getting the tsa to increase throughput even prior to the pandemic. Were less when there transportation Security Officers on long lines, people being very upset about getting through and the technology not working. The technology exists to make people get through quicker and safer. As i mentioned in my testimony, we are looking at a Touchless Technology where traffic will go through and they dont have to touch anything. What i understand is when you , once youthe camera go through, my understanding is that information is deleted. That would be an enormous amount of information on hold in any given day. The confidence did not go through and not have to have any interaction other than scanning their own ticket and having the ability to be able to walk through. Understanding technology is far better than what it was two or three years ago. We would welcome that and it would make the travel experience faster and, frankly, safer. Quick several years ago, i went into customs, very little human contact. They did not look at many other documents, so the Technology Way of decreasing human contact considerably and moving people through quicker. I would argue they probably should consider going forward, just from a safety standpoint, from a health standpoint, and from a traveler experience standpoint. I absolutely agree with you. From a u. S. Travel perspective, love to that we would see a greater investment in screening technology. We could not agree with you more that it is a fighter tool , and secure it is a vital tool for secure return to travel, and it is so important for travelers to have that vital source. [indiscernible] to get American Airlines flight back [indiscernible] so come on now, all right . [laughter] we are on it. I would like to recognize the gentle person from florida, ms. Demings. Welcome. Thank you so much, chairman. All of ouro witnesses who are with us today. Everybody, andee i, too, miss you, but we need to continue to do some of the things that we are talking about today to make sure we are safe and others are safe as well. I certainly enjoyed the discussion about the tesla technology. I would believe every worker and every passenger would appreciate us pursuing that, so i look forward to further discussions along those lines. Ms. Nelson, there was a discussion earlier about the absence of clear guidelines as it pertains to wearing a mask and practicing social distancing and all of that. You talked about some of the challenges around flying and being able to do that, but we still should do what we can do, and i certainly appreciate the efforts of the airlines, to make sure we are traveling as safely as possible. I know the last few flights i have been on, masks, for example, were required. I thank god for that. Yet, we have some passengers who for some reason still resisted that. I would like to hear a little bit more i know we have had a great discussion here but about the Self Wellness checks. Are we seeing zerotolerance policies because while we wanted many people to be able to fly, andg is still a privilege we all have an obligation to do. Hat we can like you mentioned earlier, did you pack your own bags . Can you talk a little more about that please . Thank you. Sure, thank you so much. The idea behind this is we would have a force of trained individuals who are able to recognize symptoms themselves and be able to identify that and also prompt travelers to be able to ask questions so they can self evaluate their own wellbeing. This conversation today has been a great example of why you need to put together a task force so you can make sure when you are implementing these policies you do not have any unintended consequences, so that it is implement it fairly and without bias. This is about having a workforce that would be run through a selfassessment with the individual. That can relate also to what is happening with employees. We are seeing some concerns right now of airlines putting in place some of the Health Monitoring, and they are asking employees to input that data, and there are concerns around privacy for the employees that we are addressing right now. Theres also potentially discipline lobbied against those employees for reporting that they have these symptoms, as opposed to encouraging them to stay home and be well. We have some issues to work through here, and the reason that it is not perfect is because we dont have the kind of leadership and government oversight that we need to be able to put this in place in a way that puts health and safety first and is not really putting it back to the airlines who are worried about the liability of the airline and taking into consideration their finances. But of course, the airline does have in the absence of guidelines, kind of like we are seeing right now with civil unrest in our country, the airline does have the responsibility to do what it can to protect the traveling public and its employees until those guidelines come down would you agree with that . And i do not want to leave you with the wrong impression because actually, i would applaud our airlines for doing more than i have ever seen them do before in any situation like this, the Self Initiative they have taken to try to assess these issues and more recently talk about making it a requirement that people wear masks and not just a suggestion, and actually taking if someone does not do that, putting them on a nofly list. Those are all really important steps, but we really believe there needs to be backing from the federal government, a federal regulation, that everyone understands we are all together, and actually standards train employees on the front lines who are implementing that, and guidelines that would like it is on the back of the ticket or when you check in to get your ticket, your knowledge you will wear a mask. These things need to be put in place through clear, coordinated guidelines communicated across the board that everyone understands. You have to wear a seatbelt, you have to put your tray table up, g have to stow your ba these are things we all have to do to make sure we have magical flights. Aftert like we had to do 9 11 i was a Police Captain at the orlando airport, and like well have to make the adjustments, we will never really only until we have a vaccine return to flying as we once knew it. Hopefully in the meantime, we will get technology to assist us in making a smooth transition. Thank you very much, and thank you to all of our guests. I go back. Thank you very much, and im glad orlando finally got it right and made you chief. I yield back. Yeah thank you, everybody. Any other members wish to ask additional questions . Seeing no hands raised, i want to thank witnesses for their valuable testimony today and the members for their tremendous questions. Im going to ask unanimous consent to insert the following documents into the record. First, a statement from the gentleman from hawaii. Second, a letter from the Airline Pilots association. The bluea letter from sparks technologies group, and fourth, and office from consumer ,eports and without objection so ordered. Members of the subcommittee may have additional questions for the witnesses, and we ask the witnesses despond expeditiously questions those we ask the witnesses to respond expeditiously in writing to those questions. The committee stands adjourned. Thank you, everybody. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. Good job. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you, everybody. Will a few minutes, we bring you live coverage as the House Oversight and Reform Committee holds a briefing to discuss police reform. This morning, washington journal talked with a former new York Police Commissioner about the current situation. We will show you a portion of that now until the briefing begins. Bernard kerik here with us. The right on crime organization. From your perspective of all policing,s working in what do you want washi
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