Pallia in a secure a deal will come to order lifted to have a workforce of 60,000 employees with Security Operations of 450 airports and railroads and masstransit systems. I now recognize myself. Today we are meeting to discuss the role of keeping Transportation Systems and before we begin of a bite to welcome to thank the administrator for joining us this morning the range of important topics we have just been briefed in a classified setting by the d. A. Justice director general about specifics owner abilities of security and quite frankly i think i speak for all of us when they say we find that everything disturbing. We have to do more to confront the threat and i want to work with you to remedy the situation as soon as possible i am hopeful tsa is successful to implement those recommendations that should improve that effectiveness while all members of the committee share concerns i do want to remind the members the information shared must remain classified. Today 16 years past be horrendous attack that claimed the lives of 3,000 people of september 11 but only nine days pass the latest terror attack hitting downtown york instead of a truck but other than an airplane is a reminder those threats are real so before he was killed the isis leader called those wolf attacks to kill them before any means necessary by killing innocent people to destroy our way of life. Theyre only one flight away to be successful to keep the homelands safe tsa needs the tools and resources to carry out its mission however winner stan this is no easy task there are 60,000 tsa employees helping to safeguard airports throughout the United States the aviation sector is the crown jewel. Americas enemies only have to be right once but we have to be right 100 percent. Those people traveling in the country to implement policies and procedures to instill confidence fortunately the committee is dedicated to working together with tsa to get the job done. Over the last several years we help to strengthen the Aviation Security that was signed into law legislation included bills with the last point of departure airports to require an Emergency Response for the tsa personnel on a regular basis. Also passing legislation directing them to open a strategic Investment Plan to provide to the private sector with a realistic road map these are steps in the right direction with that big is briefing we have a lot more to do. In 2015 we learned from the ida chess Inspector General that the screening record was abysmal. So it is very dangerous to the American People and although some changes have been made we cannot be satisfied until they are properly addressed. Working with the private sector we need to find ways to meet our security needs. These partnerships produce Innovative Technologies including the use of biometrics with facial recognition to make the hard to pass through those screeners at the airport and also strengthen the ability to keep up with the emerging threats and as we discussed the technology will be key here family traveling americans but those that could be a victim from airplane being blown up in the sky. Howl they go about to try is always changing and in late july in australian their resin attack with material that could have been used with that explosive device to blow up the airplane also looking for laptops and other Electronic Devices for bombs to be detonated on airlines. This is an one of the most serious threats we face it must we addressed semaphored to discussing with you to confront these issues head on. Mr. Chairman thank you very much first of all, i will express my condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the heinous terrorist attack in new york city last week and thanks to the brave First Responders to came to be a there our thoughts and prayers are with them all. I also want to express my condolences to of those killed in the of horrific shootings in taxes at the First Baptist church and other Community Devastated by a mass shooting once again in a place of worship. I sent the chairman of a letter this week asking to have my bill as a standalone bill. It establishes a program to authorize nonprofit organizations including faith based communities with that insulation of security equipment protecting against attacks. I appreciate the prior cooperation that the next scheduled markup of this important legislation. Following up on a german from last week to reschedule without further delay to postpone the full Committee Hearing with the Disaster Preparedness rescheduled for november 1st for our fellow americans and puerto rico and the u. S. Regimens insure they provide desperately needed emergency relief as it has for those by recent hurricanes in texas. Thanks for holding this important hearing. And thinks the chairman for holding this hearing we appreciate the task you have with the Transportation System. The fact theyre banning devices from all passenger planes earlier earlier this year shows the seriousness and while september 11 attack was 16 years ago these threats are causal the emerging. The Job Administration must invest in Aviation Security and instead it appears hell bent on squandering on a border what it does not make the nation more secure. Meanwhile 1. 2 billion from the tsa operations with the deficit reduction at 1. To 8 billion could go along way to secure our aviation vulnerability. Those letter currently pushing a tax package of at least 1. 5 trillion helping the wealthy and wellconnected it defies common sense in addition to resources necessary for the agency to do its job effectively they must address that has been plagued since its creation. So to have low morale 303 o with 305 agencies in 2016 with of high turnover rate. That is 70 percent of the workforce but yet they are denied full collective bargaining rights and opportunity to raise issues with the independent thirdparty. Additionally they are subject to a pay and performance system that does not detract with those General Services for federal workers. So to move that foreword to see those necessary changes there is the parity to receive the critical protections. Democrats assume they have the resources to maintain the workforce that it needs with the vital mission. And things to the administrator for joining us today. And looking up that close oversight Going Forward. I yield back. On august 10th the retired vice admiral was sworn in as the seventh tsa administrator after serving 30 years. Thank you for your service and for being here today. Your full statement will appear in the record the chairman now recognizes the chairman. To the distinguished members of the committee reflecting on those tragic events of new york city last weekend in texas this past sunday and joining you to offer condolences to the families and our thoughts and prayers to all those injured. So thank you for inviting me here today for my first time and to support the committee and its members with the passage of the department of a Homeland Security authorization act of 2017 grateful for the long standing relationship that tsa enjoys with the committee every four to building on this relationship. Although only on the job of short time i am impressed with the dedication and commitment of men and women who provide protection to millions of people every single day 365 days a year. It is vital to the nation security. It has come of all way. Is still facing a determined adversary. The threat to International Aviation is i and they are intent on attacking our systems successfully meeting them whether or revolution famous rays the security baseline by staying ahead of threats and deploying with industry and Public Safety. It with more complex threats more quickly and consistently and efficiently. Making sure it receives the best leadership available and closely connected to the mission and to raise the baseline, tsa is working with partners across the board and in june from all commercial flights to the neck states ended september investigated news security measures fourth read some of the cargo aircraft. We are grateful for many partners for their support of these efforts over the past several months. This includes exploring the pursuit of checkpoints to show a 3d imaging and as important as these advancements are the Security Professionals are vital to accomplish the Mission Working behind the scenes to those of the Airport Security checkpoints with onboard aircraft and our partners with surface Transportation System owners and operators. To carry out our activities ready to invest in though work force. To communicate to employees every chance that i have that the work is critically important and the number one priority with the recent terror attacks in texas and overseas are a compelling reminder to remain vigilant and continue building to the Stakeholder Communications with collaboration with the open by nature system. Regarding those views to help them with security i value and appreciate the oversight provided by department of homeless security Inspector General and i pledge is my years as administrator to be open and transparent and responsive to every member of this committee. My key priority will equate to improve security performance. I appreciate and will build upon those relationships tsa has with the airport and airline and the owners and operators with Public Safety partners throughout the United States and international with the organizations and partners. This concludes my statement i am honored to serve and i look forward to your questions. Going back to the 93 World Trade Center bomber the plot to blow up 12 airlines simultaneously, he escapes, with the basic plot of the 9 11 attacks. They still have not stopped. They are relentless. Even though they have been demoralized to a large extent by whatever means necessary, could lead shake mamas dream is alive and well unfortunately. But it also tries to bring down the airlines with a laptop as the explosive device we just had a briefing with the Inspector General i am not allowed to go into detail but he did publicly state identified folder abilities at every member found disturbing. I dont think the American People can afford to wait for kobe have talked about ct this Technology Goes from two dimensional at threedimensional and highlights and identifies contraband devices. We have this as a Pilot Program in only two airports but my question is how soon can this technology be employed and those of the identified as the highest threat . Those are a significant enhancement over the current checkpoints for you are correct in the United States right now because it is a system to bring those carryon bags with the transportation and Security Officers. We could deploy the technology throughout the system that what happened as a result so to see those images it is three diesel with that success for further inspection is greatly improved. Were not at the point with the computer tomography but overthrew the course of the next several months that technology does exist it is being tested and could be deployed. Also add this technology is already in place in the check back system. That is what is confusing to us if it is already in use . I a understand that algorithm has to be updated but it seems to me that given the negative gut level we are in with an aviation, why can we move as quickly as possible to Deploy Technology with the last point of departure . So the reason it is in the checked baggage area only until recently we can get the size of the machine down to the point that it could fit at the checkpoint. But now we have a prototype in phoenix and boston and it exist. We need to do work of those algorithms and they can lower the weight time as well. That can occur after they are deployed but the algorithm is second. Why not the other way around . You could but the challenge is reducing the input through the machine with a Conveyor Belt to brings those bags. I look forward to working closely with you. Perhaps this is the biggest threat we face with large scale attacks. I look forward to working with you to see how rapidly we can deploy this technology and the appropriators to make sure the money is available to get the technology out to the airports him last point of departure that we had gone to on many occasions but quite frankly is finding that those highsecurity areas. Welcome to the job. I know youll understand that threats an accord to working with you. The ct capability would be a significant improvement probably the most you could make in that location. In the efforts there is the path to get to ct deployment. I fake in line with what you have a just said with the ongoing interest that this committee has had about how long it takes to get new technology and it continues to be a problem. I am saying this to say thatt a new technology being deployed, think we be remiss if we didnt pursue that. To that question, we were told a few years ago that were spending around 9 per passenger at airports on security. Per passenger. Do you have any idea what were spending on trains, buses, or cruise lines for passengers . No, sorry dont. At the airport we provide the security on board cruise lines and other places is provided by the owners and operators. So we have nothing to do a security for trains. We have responsibility for security but the operatives provide the security, unlike the airport tsa provides a security. We provide guidelines for what those transportation modes should do for security. See her say we have nothing to do with it other than provide the guidelines . We dont provide oversight see what theyre doing. We do provide oversight of the guidelines, and we have regular dialogue with their service transportation. With some is not meeting the standard what you do . We go back and have a conversation of where the shortfall is. Our experiences they are very quick to remedy the observations we make. So how do you rank surface Transportation Systems . Pass, fail, marginal . I was just up and kneejerk new jersey and new york, i would mark it as pass. Does amtrak provide you with something and they review and say its okay . How do you do that . We develop guidelines as to how we would provide security. Then the Owner Operator has a perspective we talk about the outcomes would like to achieve they come back understanding that outcome and how they can best achieve it for them we agree on a way forward. If you have any written reviews of Passenger Rail systems in this country can do provide that information . Yes. Are you aware theres airports who invested monies and modifying their airports pursuant to tsas direction to accommodate equipment that is not been reimbursed over ten years later . Understanding is that would be reimbursed off of that expense. Theyve submitted a claim weve reviewed those once they complete our review their back with airports in 14 out of 19 agreed they were out for review. The challenge is having the funding to pay for the investment they have made. Said tsas direction they have made the improvement spent taxpayers money in over ten years later were still back and forth trying to get the airports their money . Thats my understanding. Can you provide us the status of those . There are 19 total. Can you provide that . The last item. In 2007 Congress Passed a bill, i authored about publish regulations requiring transit systems to provide frontline workers with security train and develop and implement security plans. Over a decade later tsa has yet to issue these regulations. To know why they havent . I recognize its been a long time. Theres requirement for training, betting and security plans. Two of those are in the process one is in the proposal of rulemaking. The third is queued up beyond fiscal 19. Fiscal 19 question at 12 years after Congress Passed the law . Yes. Thats in line with how we do technology another thing, i know you inherited this but at some point some of this should be done in a more timely manner. I would encourage you to get a sense of how many issues are outstanding and how to bring closure to them. Otherwise the public will continue to lack the confidence in the systems that they use to go back and forth in this country. I o back. Thank you. Welcome administrator. You have a challenge. This agency run is broken and that needs your attention. One ask about the fast tracking of passengers in airports. We have the precheck which tsa has been working hard to make people aware of, they can do an upfront screening and go to an expedited line. Theres been a practice of fast tracking when lines are delayed at the normal checkpoint the pope people how to put them into that check line randomly. Is confusing people. What can you do to maintain the brand for precheck that people want to participate in. I understand why that would be a disincentive for people to pay the fee. We no longer move people randomly from the standard lane to precheck. If theres a k9 in the checkpoint from they sweeps passengers without a reaction then we feel weve done some vetting away move those passengers into precheck. We talked about the need for explosive detection canines reading and training experts. I have a bill that i plan to introduce next week that will have tsa experts