Committee on Homeland Security will come to order. Hearommittee is meeting to from the administrator of the transportation security administration, david michalski. For leading a workforce of a approximately 60,000 employees. The Security Operations in nearly 450 airports throughout the u. S. , the federal air marshal service, and shared security for highways, railroads, ports, mass transit systems and pipelines. I recognize myself for an opening statement. Tsas meeting to discuss role in keeping our Transportation System secure. Before we begin, i would like to welcome and Bank Administrator david but housekeeper ski for joining us this morning. To discuss a range of important topics. Committee have just been briefed in a classified setting by the dhs Inspector General and the administrator about specific vulnerabilities to our Aviation Security. Quite frankly, i think i speak for all of us when i say that we found that briefing disturbing. We need to do more to confront the growing threats aimed at the aviation sector. I want to work with you. Remedy the situation as soon as possible given the threat level. I am hopeful that tsa is successful in implementing the recommendations that should improve screening checkpoint operational effectiveness. While all members on the committee share my concerns, i do want to remind the members that the information shared in the briefing must remain classified. Hour, we are 16 years past karen does 9 11 attacks that claimed the lives of almost 3000 people but we are only nine days past the latest terror attack to hit downtown new york. While the latest attack was carried out by a truck and not an airplane, it is a reminder that the threats we face are still real. Before he was killed, and isis leader called for lone wolf attacks, begging followers to kill the coup far in his necessary. Any means today, International Terrorists are still determined to spread fear by killing innocent people. On othery live continents, they are only one flight away. If we are going to be successful in keeping our homeland safe, we must ensure that tsa has the tools and resources it needs to carry out its mission. Easyderstand this is no task. Although there are approximately 60,000 tsa employees helping to safeguard nearly 150 airports throughout the u. S. , our aviation sector remains the crown jewel of terrorist targets. Americas enemies only have to be right once while we have to be right one hundred percent. With millions of people traveling into our country from all over the world, we must expeditiously implement policies to instill confidence and make our Transportation System safe and secure. Our committee has been dedicated to working together with tsa and other components within dhs to get the job done. Years, weast several have helped strengthen our Aviation Security with legislation from this committee signed into law. This legislation included ills that enhance security at last point of departure airports and required emergency response. Thatso passed legislation directs the tsa administrator to update and develop a fiveyear assessment plan to provide to the private sector a realistic roadmap of the Technology Needs for the agency. These are steps in the right direction. Previouse saw from our briefing, we have a lot more work to do. In 2015, we also learned through late reports from the dhs Inspector General that tsas passenger record was abysmal. Thiswas discouraging to committee and dangerous to the American People. 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 ways to meet our security needs. These partnerships can produce Innovative Technologies that can advance or our screen process including biometrics. To slipl make it hard past screeners at the airport. New technology will strengthen our ability to keep up with emerging threats. As we discussed previously, the Ct Technology will be key in protecting traveling americans and americans that could be the victim of an airplane being blown up in the skies. Taking down airplanes is a constant goal of terrorists. How they go about trying is always changing. In late july this year, counterterrorism officials in australia worded an attack and seized material that couldve been used as an improvised explosive device to blow up an airplane. We have also seen reports that terrorists are looking for ways to use laptops and other Electronic Devices as bombs that will be detonated on airlines. Threat, if notus the most serious that we face from the radical islamists. It is a threat that must be addressed. I look forward to discussing the ways in which we can confront these issues head on. With that, the chair recognizes the Ranking Member. Thank you very much mr. Chairman. I want to begin by expressing my condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their lives in the heinous terror attack in new york city last week. And thank the brave First Responders that came to the aid of the injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all. I also want to express my condolences to the loved ones of those killed in sundays at the firsttings Baptist Church in sutherland springs, texas. Another American Community devastated by a man shooting and a place of worship. This week, i sent chairman toall a letter asking him move my legislation, hr 1486 for securing american nonprofit organizations against terrorist acts of 2017 as a standalone bill. Hr 1486 and establishes a program to authorize grants to nonprofit organizations including faithbased communities to assist them with acquisitions or insulation or security equipment and training related to preventing and protecting against attacks. I appreciate the chairmans prior cooperation on this issue and hope hr 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 did not followup on a letter i sent to the chairman last week urging him to reschedule without further delay the abruptly postponed for Committee Hearing to examine the federal Emergency Management agencies Disaster Preparedness and response activities originally scheduled for november 1. Our fellow americans in puerto rico and the u. S. Virgin islands are counting on us to ensure the federal government provides desperately needed emergency to their 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 without further delay. Focusing on the issue at hand, i think the chairman i think the chairman for holding the meeting and welcome the administrator to the committee. Would istrator, we we appreciate the task you have to secure our Transportation System. The fact that the department considered banning devices larger than a smartphone from all u. S. Bound passenger planes earlier this year reflects the seriousness of the threats to aviation today. Indeed, while the september 11 attacks were 16 years ago, new and more dangerous threats are constantly emerging. To address these sets, the Trump Administration must invest in Aviation Security to strengthen tsas effectiveness. Instead, the administration appears to be hellbent on squandering millions on a boondoggle border wall that would do nothing to make the nation more secure. Billion in1. 2 8 Aviation Security fees are diverted from tsa operations in fund late offensively to deficit reduction. That 1. 28 billion being collected could go a long ways ourrds helping us secure aviation vulnerabilities. At the same time, House Republicans are currently pushing a tax package that would add at least 1. 5 trillion to the deficit while 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 have plagued it since its creation. Tsa has consistently struggled with low morale across the of 305ce ranking 303 out Government Agencies in 2016. Low morale as a nexus to the high turnover rate within turnover rate within the ranks of tsos. The represent 70 of workforce and yet they have been denied bargaining rights and opportunities to effectively raise issues in dispute to an independent third party such as the merit systems protection board. Tsos are also subject to a pay and performance system that does not track what the with the general systems wage program. In order to move the workforce forward and see necessary changes, it is imperative for tsa frontline personnel to receive these critical protections. Democrats stand ready to work with you, mr. Administrator, to ensure that the tsa has necessary to maintain the workforce necessary to carry out its vital mission. Again, i think the chairman for holding the hearing and the administrator for coming today. I look forward to working together moving forward. Members remind other a on august 10, 2017, david cow ski was sworn in as the seventh tsa administrator after serving over 30 years with the u. S. Coast guard. I want to thank you for your service and thank you for being here today. To offer testimony. Your full statement will appear in the record. Perkowski good morning. I begin my remarks by reflecting on the tragic events in new york city last weekend and in sutherland springs, texas this past sunday. I joined both of you in offering my condolences to the families of the victims and our thoughts and prayers to all injured. Today toviting me here testify on transportation security for my first time in the role as administrator. My colleagues and i appreciate the support the committee and its members have provided the dsa in the past with the passage of the Homeland Security act of 2017 and we are grateful for the relationship that tsa enjoys with the committee. I look forward to building on this relationship during my tenure at the helm of dna. I am honored by the opportunity to serve as the administrator. I have only been on the job for a short time, i am impressed with the dedication and commitment of the men and women of tsa who provide protection to millions of people every day. Tsas mission to protect americas Transportation Systems is vital to our nations security. Aviation security has come a long way in 16 years but we still face a determined adversary. The current environment is persistent. The threat to aviation is high and multiple groups remain intent on attacking our Transportation Systems. We must adapt to these changing threats. Book remains on our on our evolution. We must raise the baseline by staying ahead of threats. And working closely with our industry, Public Safety, and international partners. We must innovate to the text more complex threats more quickly, consistently, and efficiently. We must ensure that our workforce receives the best training available and is closely connected to the tsa mission. Ofraise the baseline international Aviation Security, tsa is working closely with partners across the globe. In june, tsa enhanced security measures for all commercial flights to the ice to the u. S. And in september, we increased efforts to protect commercial flights to the u. S. We are grateful to the Public Sector at home and overseas for the support of their efforts. Support ofive innovation includes exploring the use of topography systems at 3d. Points including our tsa Security Professionals are vital in accomplishing the mission. From those who work behind the scenes to those at our Airport Security checkpoints, onboard aircraft, and in our partnership with a our Transportation System owners and operators. To carry out our job effectively, we have to invest in our workforce. I communicate with employees every chance that i have the message that they are valued and their work is critically important and that the number one priority is Security Effectiveness. The recent terror attacks in new york city and sutherland springs, texas and overseas are a compelling reminder of the need to remain vigilant in all modes of transportation. We need to continue to build on our successes. Received input from all stakeholders regarding how tsa can help them improve security. I value and appreciate the oversight provided by this committee, by the department of Homeland SecurityInspector General, and the general accountability office. And i pledge to be open, transparent, and responsive to every member of this committee. My key priority is improving Job Satisfaction that will equate to improved performance and efficiency. I appreciate them will build upon the already outstanding relationships that tsa has with our airport, airline, and surface transportation owners and operators, with our Public Safety partners in the u. S. And internationally. This concludes my statement. Thank you. I appreciate the testimony. To the 1993 World Trade Center bomber. Plot to blow up airlines simultaneously. He escapes. Talks to his uncle. They had still not stopped. They are relentless to bring down an airline. Even though they have been demoralized in iraq and syria to a large extent and they have called on attacks on vehicles by aatever means necessary, leader said the dream is still alive and well. We have had our threat briefings and we know they are still trying to bring down airlines through turning a laptop into an explosive device. We just had a briefing from the notector general that i am allowed to go into detail on but he did publicly state and identify vulnerabilities. I think everys, member at the briefing found disturbing. I believe there are things we can start doing today. And not waiting. I dont think the American People can afford to wait for the safety of americans. You and i talked about topography or ct. I have seen this technology. It goes from two dimensional to three dimensional. It can rotate. It highlines it highlights and identifies contra brands and explosives. We have this as a Pilot Program in only two airports. Canestion is how soon this technology be deployed to all airports in the u. S. And also the last 10 point of departure airports identified as the highest threat to airports. Topography xray systems are a significant enhancement to what we currently use. System we are protecting. The Conveyor Belts and the machine process and the interface with our officers. Hypothetically, we could deploy that technology throughout the system now because it exists. What would happen as a result of that would be an improvement in the operators ability to see images. It is 3d. And it has more fidelity. The operators success in identifying substances to look at would be improved but we are not yet at the point where we can get the throughput. Over the course of the next several months, we will be relatively close to that. The technology exists and is being tested the degree in europe and it could be deployed because the machines are already being made. This technology is already in place in our checked bag systems. I think that is what is confusing. It is very being used for checked bags. It is being used in two airports. But, it seems to me, given the high threat level we are in right now in aviation, and that is the crown jewel, why can we not move as quickly as possible to deploy Ct Technology to all airports in the u. S. And those 10 last point departure airports and then upgrade the software when that becomes available . The reason that Ct Technology checked bag area is because only recently have we been able to get the weight and size of the machines down into so they can fit into a checkpoint. We have the prototypes in we knowand boston and the capability for sizing exists. We do need to work on the algorithms which would increase the range of the substances the machines can detect and lower the weight of the substances they can detect as well. The algorithm upgrades can be deployed. We plan to do that the Development First and the deployment of the machines next. Why can we not do it the other way around . You could. But the challenge is the reduced throughput through the machines and the integration with the Conveyor Belt that brings the carryon bags through the machines. I look forward to working closely with you. As the biggest threat that we face from the radical islamists. We talk about largescale attacks. I look forward to working with you to see how rapidly we can deploy this new technology. In addition, working with the appropriators to make sure the moneys are available and reprogrammed to get this technology out to these airports and these last point of departure airports that members and i have gone to on many occasions. Bitlevel of security as a frightening at some o