Administration on his plans for leading a workforce of leaving a workforce of approximately 60,000 employees Security Operations in nearly 450 airports throughout the United States with federal air Marshal Service and shared security for highways, railroads, ports, mass transit systems and pipelines and now i recognize myself for an opening statement. Today the committee is meeting to discuss the role in keeping our Transportation System secure. Before we begin, i would like to welcome and thank the administrator for joining us this morning to discuss the range of important topics relevant to the Aviation Security. We are committee have just been briefed in a classified setting by the dhs Inspector General and administrator account specific vulnerabilities to the Aviation Security. Quite quickly, i think i speak for all of us when i say we found everything disturbing. We need to do more to confront the growing threats aimed at the aviation sector. And i want to work with you so we can remedy the situation as soon as possible given the threat level and im hopeful that they are successful at implementing the recommendations that should improve screening checkpoint operational effectiveness. By all memberwhile all members e committee share my concern, i do want to remind the members that the information shared and exchanged in the briefing must remain classified. Today we are 16 years past the horrendous 9 11 attacks that claimed the lives of almost 3,000 people. However, we are only nine days pass to the latest attack to hit downtown new york and while the latest attack was carried off with a truck instead of an airplane, it was a reminder of the threats we face are still real. Before he was killed, the nicest leader called for the lone wolf attacks dating followers to kill by any means necessary. A twoday international terroristtoday international ted fear by killing innocent people and destroying our way of life. Many live on other continents they are only one point away. If we are going to be successful in keeping our homeland safe they must make sure they have the tools and resources it needs to carry out its mission but we understand this is no easy task even though theres approximately 60,000 employees helping safeguard the airports throughout the United States, the aviation sector remains the crown jewel of the target. Americas enemies only have to be right once while we have to be right 100 . With millions of people traveling from all over the world, we must expeditiously implement policies and purchasing to the procedures that make the Transportation System safe and secure. The committee has been dedicated to working together with tsa and other components in dhs to get the job done. Over the last several years we have helped to strengthen the Aviation Security with legislation from the committee signed into law that included adults with enhanced security last point of departure airports in the United States and require Emergency Response for exercises with tsa personnel on a regular basis. So passed legislation to direct the administrator to develop a strategic fiveyear Technology Investment plan to report and provide to the sector a realistic roadmap of the technology needs. These are steps in the right direction but as we saw in the previous briefing, we have one more to do. In 2015 we also learned through the linked reports from the Inspector General that the passenger screening record was in their words abysmal. This is very discouraging to the committee and dangerous to the American People and even though some changes have been made to correct the problem, we cannot be satisfied until we know it has been properly addressed. But the government cannot solve the problem alone. Working with the private sector we need to find a place to meet security needs. Partnerships can produce new and Innovative Technologies to advance our screen process including the use of biometrics fingerprints, facial recogniti recognition. This will make it harder to slip past us at the airports. New technology will strengthen the ability to keep up with emerging threats and i think as we discussed previously the Ct Technology will be the key to protecting those who could be the victim of an airplane being blown up in the sky. Taking down airplanes is the constant goal but how they go about trying is always changing. In late july this year counterterrorism officials in australia had an attack and seize material that could have been used as an improvised explosive device to blow up an airplane. We are also seeing reports that they are looking for ways to use laptops and other Electronic Devices as bombs o has bombs the decimated on airlines. This is a serious threat. It must be addressed and i look forward to discussing the ways in which we can confront. I also want to express my condolences to the loved ones of those killed in sundays shootings at the First Baptist church of Sutherland Springs texas, yet another American Community has been devastated by a mass shooting once again in a place of worship. This week i sent the chairman and a letter asking him to move the legislation hr 1486 for the securing americas nonprofit organizations against terrorism act of 2017 as a standalone bill. 1486 establishes a program to authorize grants to nonprofit organizations including faithbased communities to assist with acquisition security equipment and training related to preventing and protecting against attacks. I appreciate the prior cooperation on this issue and hope 1486 will be considered at the next scheduled markup to expedite consideration of this important legislation in the senate. I would be remiss if i didnt follow up on a letter i sent to chairman last week urging him to reschedule without further delay the postponed for Committee Hearing to examine a federal Emergency ManagementAgency Preparedness and response activity originally scheduled for november 1. Fellow americans in puerto rico and the u. S. Virgin islands are counting on us to ensure the federal government provides desperately needed emergency relief to the devastated communities as they have for those affected by recent hurricanes in florida and texas. I look forward to the committee holding this important hearing. Focusing on the issue at hand i think the chairman for holding todays hearing and welcome the administrator to the committee. We appreciate the task you have to secure the nations Transportation System. The fact that the department considered banning the devices larger than a smartphone from all u. S. Bound passenger planes earlier this year reflects the seriousness of the threats of aviation today. Indeed, while the september 11 attacks were 16 years ago, more and dangerous threats are constantly emerging. To address the threats, the Administration Must invest in the Aviation Security to strengthen the effectiveness. Instead the administration appears hellbent on squandering billions on a boondoggle border wall that would do nothing to make the nation more secure. Meanwhile, 1. 28 billion in Aviation Security fees are diverted from tsa operations annually ostensibly to find deficit reduction. Thats 1. 28 billion thats being collected could go a long way towards helping us secure our aviation vulnerabilities. At the same time, House Republicans are pushing a tax package that would at least 1. 85 trillion to the deficits by helping the wealthy and wellconnected and leaving the middle class to pick up the tab. It simply defies common sense. In addition to providing the Financial Resources necessary for the agency to do its job effectively, tsa must address the workforce challenges that are played since its creation. Tsa has consistently struggled with low morale across the workforce ranking 303 out of 305 Government Agencies in 2016. Low morale has an excess due to the high turnover rate in the ranks of the tso that represent 70 of the workforce but yet theyve been denied full collective bargaining rights for the protections and opportunities to the thirdparty such as the protection board. Additionally they are subject to the pay and performance system that doesnt track the general system. In order to move the workforce for work anforward and see the y changes, it is imperative for the frontline personnel to receive these critical protections. The democrats stand ready to work with u2 into that they have resources necessary to effectively train and retain the workforce it needs to carry out its vital mission. Again i thin think that your thr holding this hearing and the administrator for joining us today. I look forward to a productive hearing and close oversight going forward. I yield back. Other members are reminded Opening Statements were submitted for the record. August 10, 2017 the retired vice admiral was sworn in as the seventh administrator after serving over 30 years in the United States coast guard. I want to thank you for your service and for being here today to offer testimony. Your statement will appear in the record and chernow recognizes the administrator. Good morning Ranking Member thompson and distinguished members of the committee. I will begin my remarks by reflecting on the tragic events of new york city last weekend in Sutherland Springs texas this past sunday and join both of you in offering my condolences to the families of the victims and our thoughts and prayers to all of those who were injured. Thank you for inviting me today about the transportation security for my first time in the role as the transportation security administration. My colleagues and i appreciate the support the committee and its members have provided in the passage o through the department of Homeland Security authorization act of 2017 and we are grateful for the longstanding constructive relationship. I look forward to building on this relationship during my tenure at the helm of the tsa. Im honored by the opportunity to serve as the administrator although ive only been on the job a short time ive impressed with the dedication and commitment of the men and women at the tsa provide protection to millions of people every single day 365 days a year. The mission to protect the Transportation System is vital to the nations security. Aviation security has come a long way in 16 years that we still face a determined adversary. The current environment is complex, diverse and persistent. The threat is high and multiple picaresque groups remain intent on attacking the surface Transportation Systems. It rests on our revolution in tsa and globally. We must raise the security baseline by staying ahead of the threats and quickly deploying the effective measures and working closely with our industry, Public Safety and international partners. We must innovate to detect more complex threats and prohibited items ever more quickly, consistently and efficiently we must ensure the workforce receives the best training and leadership available and is closely connected to the missi mission. We are working closely with partners across the globe and will enhance the measures for all commercial flights to the United States and then in september and initiate new security measures to address threats to the cargo aircraft flying into the United States. We are grateful to the many partners in the industry and Public Sector at home and overseas for the support of these efforts over the past several months. The aggressive pursuit includes exploring the use of the tomography systems at airport checkpoints ancheckpoints in thr improved three d. And enhanced detection capabilities. As important as these technical advancements arethe tsa Security Professionals are vital in accomplishing the mission from those that work behind the scenes to those at Airport Security checkpoints and in our partnership with our Service Transportation service. We need to invest in the workforce especially in areas of training and communication. I communicate to the employees every chance i have a message that they are valued and the work is critically important and the number one priority is effectiveness. The recent attacks in Sutherland Springs texas and overseas are a compelling reminder of the need to remain filled to capitulate and all transportation we need to continue building to the c. Code for communications, coordination and collaboration to protect these open by nature systems. Ive received from the stakeholders all surface notes regarding the views how they can help them improve security i value and appreciate the oversight provided by the committee by the department of Homeland SecurityInspector General and the Accountability Office and they pledged to the open, transparent and responsive to every member of the committee. My priority is improving Job Satisfaction that will bequeath to improve security performance and efficiency and i appreciate and will build upon the already outstanding relationships that tsa has with the Airport Airline and Transportation System. In the United States and internationally and certainly with our International Organizations and partners. I am honored to serve in this capacity and i look forward to your questions. Going back to the bomber in the plot to blow up airliners simultaneously, he escapes and talks to basically applied to the 9 11 attacks and they had still not stopped. They were relentless and though they called for attacks by the vehicles whatever means necessary, Khalid Shaikh mohammeds dream is still a alive. Weve had the threat briefings and we know they are still trying to bring down airlines returning a laptop into an explosive device. We had a briefing by the Inspector General. The vulnerabilities of riemann or at the briefing found disturbing. I believe there are things we can start doing today and not waiting. I dont think the American People cannot afford to wait for the safety of americans. You and i talked about the tomography. Tomography. I think this technology go from twodimensional or threedimensional and it highlights it identifies contraband and explosive devic devices. My question to you is how soon can the technology be deployed to all airports in the United States and the last departure airports identified as the highest threats airports. The systems are a significant enhancement over what it currently uses at the checkpoints. You are correct in the two systems in the United States right now because it is a system that we are protecting as the Conveyor Belt that brings the carryon bags to the machine and then the process itself. We could deploy the technology through the system now because the technology exists but what would happen as a result of that would be an improvement in the operators ability to see images because you mentioned it is three d. And has mor more fidely to the operators of success in identifying the substances to report would be greatly improved. We are not the point if we can get the throughput through the tomography machines that we currently have for the existing machines but over the course of the next several months would be relatively close to that. The technology does exist and is being tested to a degree and could be deployed. I may also edit the tomography is already in place in the checked bag systems. Its a little confusing to us, its already being used in the checked bags and airports and i understand the algorithm would have to be updated at some point in time and software associated with it but it seems to me given the high threat level that we are in right now with aviation and that is the crown jewel why cant we move as quickly as possible to apply the technology to all airports in the United States and attend last point of departure airports and upgrade the software when that becomes available . Why cant we do that the other way around . Because the candidate the algorithm later. The only challenge is to the integration with the Conveyor Belt with the carryon bags san the bins to the machine. Working very closely with you i see this perhaps the biggest threat that we face. With a large scale to see how rapidly we can deploy the new technology in addition to working with the appropriators to make sure the money is available to read program as well to get the technology to the airports and last point of departure. And the level of security is frightening at the high threat areas as well. So welcome to the job. So that computer capability would be a significant improvement. Probably the most we could make in that location. And with our efforts to raise the global bar there is the path to get to the last points of departure in the future. Very good. Mr. Chairman in line with what you just said there is the ongoing interest that this committee has had about how long it takes to get new technology deployed and it just continues to be a problem. Sometimes were told this acquisition for testing but it never happens. And as was mentioned an earlier briefing, there were others around the world ready to put new technology in place. That might make sense to go to the airport to see what they do rather than otherwise. I am saying this to say if we know that new technology is being deployed, i think we would be remiss if were not pursuing that. To that question, we were told a few years ago that were spending around 9 per passenger at the airports on security. Do you have an ideal overspending on trains or buses or cruise lines per passenger . I dont. But we provide the security aboard cruise lines with masstransit systems. We use guidance. We have nothing to do with security for trains . We do. But the way that it works the operatives actually provide the security of like in the airport where tsa provides it we would do surface transportation modes as to provide the guidelines to what those transportation modes should do for security those are cooperative lee developed and are good. You say other than provide the guidelines we dont provide oversight or anything like that . To mike yes, sir. We do provide oversight along with of regular dialogue. But if somebody is not meeting the standard . Directory go back and have a discussion and our experience with the surface transportation they are . To remedy the observations. How do you rank the surface Transportation System . Pass or fail or marginal . Are was just up in in new york city last week. They are a passant this point. Howdy you mark fact . Does amtrak provide you with something thats you say it is okay or how would you do that . Iraq we develop guidelines as to how we would provide security and that is a good process because we have a perspective with those security al comes. Then they come back with here is what we think and then we of any reviews of Passenger Rail system could you provide that . Yes sir. Are you aware there are airports who have invested money modify their airport pursuant to tsa for equipment and have not been reimbursed 10 years later . To read that is the end line baggage system that was put in place for of their understanding was they would be reimbursed. They have submitted a claim for that amount follow we have reviewed those claims now they are back with the airports and 40 now of 19 that we agreed were appropriate for review now they are back at the commons for what we adjusted of their submission. The challenges to have the funding to pay for that investment. So at the direction of tsa bay made those improvements but then 10 years later were still trying to give their money . Can you provide the status 14 actually submitted. Can you provide that to us . The last but that weve implemented recommendations. The law required tsa to publish regulations and to implement those security plans for fear of but they have yet to issue these regulations. As i understand it, there is a requirement for training for this was in in the van with the though some time beyond fiscal 19. This is after Congress Passed a law . Yes, sir,. That is in line with how we do technology and other things. But some paul i know you inherited this but as some point, some of his should be done in a more timely manner and i would discourage the neck to administrator to get a sense how many of these issues are outstanding and how we bring closure. Otherwise of public will continue to lack necessary that they use to go back and forth in this country. I yield back. The with passengers than the airports and then to make. Is a winwin for everybody that if you do that practice of fast tracking with their delayed at the checkpoints they will pull out a group of people and put them there randomly. It is confusing. So what can you tell us to make sure we maintain the brand . Goal was to increase recheck but i understand why that activity would not be an incentive. Rate no longer move people randomly. That was done in the past but a way to manage second, we talked to my office about the need from the of reading and training experts and then another bill next week that will have klay but then to have this validated standard want to ask your commitment with this sense of urgency to a france legislation . Fracking have my commitment i am a strong supporter and i believe they give a tremendous benefit. The gentleman from rhode island. He is not here. Thank you for your service and i will get back to the ct43d technology the you said hypothetically could be down but now when you say hypothetically, are you saying the technology does not exist . No sir it will certainly exist and in fact, i will visit the airport next week. Would tv hypothetically . So we have eliminated the of hypothetical it isnt because of technology so why so to invest in the ct. There are other options. If you are charged a certain amount of money 1. 2 way billion dollars is pulled back deficit reduction and. But it is that because of funding . We treated like every of error but we take away that passenger funded money and also the president s budget decreases. That are you satisfied a keeps us save given the technology that is available to us right now . Server was not involved in that. I am just asking your opinion. You are satisfied . You just said in a the passenger portion itself could be safer because of treaties giving . Is that satisfactory . When the budget was developed we did not work at that. We have the funds available. Americans are not safe, lee and technology but money keeps us parker not the technology itself. No believe i said americans were not safe. Safe her. Additional investment would make travelers save her. Is the type of program why is it cut. But that was not in sequence. That is with a k9 patrol. But were not finding that either spee replica of the overall budget with a question to think about is can you use the funding to have more officers at the checkpoint . This isnt in your purview but it is a tradeoff of the of all taking into what was discussed before added classified hearing. I would call it a present danger that is sent talking read anything that is not classified. We have the technology and resources to do it but not because of funding . We take away from Budget Reduction on what people pay themselves and we pay for a wall . I yield back. Thank you for being here today. I call on congress in the Obama Administration to injure the 9 11 commission which was the essentials of investment so looking of foreign visitors to the United States is more important to know if more if they only used biographical information instead of names and passports who knows the same person of the automatic those requiring a space and it has been ignored i incompletion we now have the of president whose vote biggest priority is protecting the American People. So as the National Security priorities to include the completion of the tracking system for all travelers to the United States. Although the policy primarily under the jurisdiction of customs and a Border Protection and tsa is an important entity to protect the United States. Have is that to utilize Biometric Technology . Our desire as they are approaching the checkpoint to provide your passport or drivers license for the were like to get to a biometric that is the desire that Border Protection uses heavy have already tested out some technology with the checkpoints they are under evaluation of that is only interested and. And to make sure is properly shared . We meet with Customs Border protection we have a of starvation ship. So for decades the castro regime has ruled with. And wonder that under the Obama Administration including employer screening and training for Airport Security. The fact the with those commercial flights . Given the effort to but tsa inspectors have done a tremendous job to make sure they are in the guidance but it is one of the first countries to come into full compliance. So with the overall standards with their efforts to achieve those standards. Thank you for your service. Mr. Administrator i am very concerned about the threat to the Transportation System such as that trend in Passenger Rail. We wriest witnessed the attacks and we also know that al qaeda has tried to instruct people on how to attack these places. We taught about aviation and what is done but to talk to you and asking questions about surface transportation , does the tsa have the authority it needs to ensure that our nation system and you have the capacity to do the thing to have the authority to do . Vitter that is an area i am working closely as i spent some time but last week. Values surface Transportation Systems. But would now like to ask you about because of your route in the placement so we are wondering what is your plan to have below overall issue . It is nowhere near what we would want it to be but with the most recent the overall numbers went up by several points. So the trend line for the first time in many years is no positive i want to spend a good amount of time and shares of things with the we have put in place very shortly. One is investing in the leadership of for transportation and Security Officers of the front line. In fairness to them it is important we provide the skills and leadership positions so they can properly take care of the folks now in their charge brought the security checkpoint one of the most critical areas in our entire system. It is important we train our cadres to be expert at the jobs they are asked to do which are very difficult and under a lot of pressure. And that is an excellent job. With the of support they need to be successful. Employee morale is incredibly high issue for me and i would submit that as more route improve Security Effectiveness of present the same time. And attrition. It is our job to see you have the resources that you need to make sure as many security procedures. You have such a tremendous need and we have a responsibility subject as the new administrator and that i have tremendous respect for the front line. I eighth encountered them every time. And i have found them to me seven o and the bad is a measured cheer double check for curve. Your people are very, which inched. Successful retail as well as upward mobility and i am wondering if he would commit to having a serious review . Absolutely and i appreciate your comments immelt the tsa work force. And i appreciate the of hard work. I yield back. Bid gentleman. Thank you. [inaudible conversations] the committee will come to order