Acting deputy administrator. Topics include the reprogramming of tsa funds for immigration detention needs. Facial Recognition Technology. And the implementation of new id requirements used for boarding commercial aircraft. Good morning. And welcome to this hearing on protecting the nations Transportation Systems. This morning we reflect on a somber day in american history. It was exactly 18 years ago that terrorists turned civilian aircraft into weapons, killing nearly 3000 americans and injuring thousands more. Today, we honor the memories of those who perished, and those First Responders who ran into harms way to help their fellow citizens. The tragedy of 9 11 led to the creation of the Transportation Security Administration. Tsa. Within the new department of Homeland Security. Tsa is charged with protecting our nations Transportation Systems from attacks and ensuring freedom of movement of people in commerce. Acting deputy administration, administrator, Patricia Cogswell is here to update the committee on tsas prime achieving these goals. Americas air, land, and marine Transportation Systems are designed for accessibility and efficiency. Challenged to deter and respond to terrorist attacks without unduly burdening travel , the economy, and civil liberties. Tsas workforce includes transportation security inspectors, federal air marshals and visible intermodal prevention and response teams, among other security professionals. Congress has worked to support this dedicated workforce bypassing the first ever tsa reauthorization bill. The tsa modernization act in last years faa reauthorization legislation. The modernization act includes to streamline. Support the Screening Partnership program, mandate more rigorous background checks of airport workers. Strengthen airport access controls, and enhance security in public areas of airports. As far so far, tsa has done an admirable job of responding to the myriad requirements of the bill. However, i remain concerned about the pace of tsas deployment of new screening technology. The rate of the precheck expansion, the seeming lack of urgency for implementing Screening Partnership programs reforms, in the absence of a comprehensive plan the registered Traveler Program with credentialed authentication technology. Systems. I hope i witnessed today will address the agencys progress toward implementing the modernization act. In addition to this act, implementation, the committee will also exercise oversight on reforms to existing security. Programs. Notably, the passenger screening teams. In february, administrator cossey perkowski briefed the committee on disturbing testing results. Of the iga and promised to revamp canine training. Tsa has also committed to making the federal air Marshals Program or intelligence based. Proving todays Frontline Security programs is important. Tsa must adapt to changing trends and technologies. Committees interested in emerging technology, including biometrics, perhaps we will hear about that today. We understand that tsa has roadmap. But, we certainly need to read this in light of concerns involving privacy, data protection, and civil liberties. So, i look forward to robust discussion today. On the vital role that tsa plays. Madam Ranking Member. You are now recognized for opening remarks. Thank you mr. Chapman. Let me also welcome acting deputy administrator cogswell for joining us this rk that tsa does in keeping us safe every day. On this somber day, we remember the tragic and devastating events of 18 years ago. An adversary motivated by nothing short of an evil attack of our nation and the horrifying grief and loss of life was unimaginable. Establishing the Transportation Security Administration was among several steps that Congress Took to help ensure the attack would never be repeated. In the lab, Congresses Committee worked hard to complete the work on the faa reauthorization act of 2018, also including the First Comprehensive reauthorization of tsa since the agency was created shortly after september 11 attacks. Our focus today is on the oversight of the agency as it continues its Critical Mission and seeks to implement the mandates included in last years tsa authorization, formerly known as the tsa modernization night. You know, last years tsa modernization act focus on the proving security in issues such as security underplaying canines for screening of passengers and cargo. Reinforcing efforts to intercept Insider Threats and expediting testing and deployment of new screening technologies in various organizations to ensure the effective leadership at the agency. I also want to note here, i appreciate the good work of the Pacific Northwest laboratories in richland, washington, who at airports the tsa millimeterwave scan has worked through security and developing we call it the tsa salute. But, nonetheless, this overhead has given quite a security yesterday had the chance to talk with acting director cost while cogswell about the next generation of technology will be deploying at airports. Both at airports with individual travelers and our cargo containers, this Pacific Northwest laboratory continues to stay ahead on cuttingedge technology, and we appreciate the work of our r d labs and helping us maintain security. I also, appreciate your candor regarding a recent diversion of tsa resources to the southern border. I spoke to you about a letter that was sent by my colleague, senator wicker and i about the diversion of those resources. My guess is we will have a chance to ask you and this mornings hearing about that. Reports indicated at the time that there could be an additional 800 fams who would be deployed with ultimate goal of sending 175 to support the cbp operations. So, look forward to asking you about those questions this morning. So, as my colleague said, we are here to review what we can do to make sure that the tsa remains a strong and viable force. I remain very interested in the canine units success. On the for the deployment of that as one of the Fastest Growing airports is not the Fastest Growing airport in the nation, seatac. The challenges of moving people and making sure we are all secure is a very, very important , daily task. Thank you for being here to address these issues. Thank you senator cantwell. Members and guests should note that senators on the floor will be observing a moment of silence at 11 00 this morning. And, in connection with that, this committee will also be observing that moment of silence. At the stroke of 11 00. Just before fouts began. So, be mindful of that. And, miss cogswell, we are delighted to have you and we are interested in hearing your opening statement. Thank you for being here. Good morning chairman wicker, Ranking Member cantwell and distinguished members of the committee. Thank you for inviting me to testify about the work the Transportation Security Administration does to keep our nation Transportation Systems secure. We appreciate the continued support of congress and are grateful for the protective relationship we have this committee. As well as the authorities provided in the tsa modernization act of 2018, the first reauthorization of us as an agency. On september 11, 2001, nearly 3000 people died of as a result of the worst act of terrorism ever committed on american soil. From this tragedy, we renewed our dedication to the ideal and freedoms that define our nation. 9 11 changed assault. With the goal to never again see such attack, congress created the tsa just two months afterwards. 18 years have passed since the tragic events of september 11. And many americans, including some of tsas current employees are too young to have any recollections of that day. Aviation and other modes of transportation remain highly sought after targets. By terrorists. Methods of attack remain more decentralized and opportunistic than ever before. Tsa must meet the challenge of pervasive and constantly evolving threats in both physical and cyber rooms. Tsa most important asset in the fight is its people. I am extremely proud of the 63,000 dedicated professionals who make up tsas workforce. Everyday they demonstrate our core values of integrity, respect and commitment to mission. Earlier this year, significant portion of the workforce, including transportation security officers, federal air officers, inspectors, k9 handlers, intelligence personnel and support staff worked without pay for 35 days during the partial government shutdown. That is incredibly trying period, our employees dedicated to professionalism and commitment to the mission, despite suffering significant financial and personal challenges. We are grateful that members of congress continue to look for ways to protect our workforce in the event of a future lapse in appropriations. And stand ready to work with you to advance his effort. Tsa was a very important year for the direction of tsa. Not only did Congress Pass and the president signed the tsa modernization act. But tsa also developed a strategy to 2026, and its administrator intent to guide the execution. During 2019, we have focused on implementation. Tsa has completed more than 46 of the 180 requirements mandated in the act and 53 of those with specific deadlines. Completed requirements rave range from a global aviation review. Establishing a surface Transportation ServiceAdvisory Committee. When mr. Perkowski testified before this Committee Last september, he described the efforts tsa was taking to rapidly advance tsas acquisition of computed tomography screening systems and credential authentication technology. Allowed tsa to more easily identify potential threats and more automated ways, enhancing both the effectiveness of our screening processes and the passenger experience. Thanks to the support of congress, tsa awarded a contract for 300 ct machines and 500 count machines and beginning deployments. Additionally, consistent with the tsa modernization act requirement for precheck, and 2019, we successfully conducted pilots into airports. Demonstrating tsa can see significantly higher through what for precheck only lanes. We are also encouraged by early results of a new option that we are testing. That will enable passengers to enroll via a mobile tablet at the airport. Near the checkpoint. We know the importance of accepting risk as we carry out our mission. Consistent with the modernization act requirement on federal air marshals integrated riskbased intelligent driven rural information into the concept of operations throughout Mission Deployment strategies focused on high risk travelers and revised International Risk assessment models. Similarly, tsa has taken a number of strategic actions to address the risk associated with Insider Threats. Including the establishment of the subcommittee on Insider Threat. And accepting options to improve airport working controls. Tsa plans to produce a roadmap to prescribe the way forward to mitigate insider risk. Tsa also recognizes strategic success depends on our workforce. The commission a Blueribbon Panel comprised of public and private sector leaders with Human Capital expertise Capital Service policy and delivery at tsa. We reviewed the results of that effort as well as input received through the establishment of a National Advisory council, developed a number of initiatives including twotier performance system and the tso career progression program. Tsas name in recognition of the 18th anniversary of the september 11 attack is honoring the memory, protecting the nation. We are confident through vigilance, collaboration with domestic and International Partners and the continued support of congress, we will meet our mutual goals of, not on our watch. Chairman wicker, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. I look forward to your questions. Thank you very much for your testimony. Let me start by asking about something i dont think we saw in your printed testimony. Thats a Screening Partnership program. The modernization act, including included a number of provisions to enhance this Screening Partnership program. Such as allowing Airport Operators to participate in the evaluation of proposals. When will tsa finish developing this process . And, are you currently briefing these assessments for every airport director . Thank you very much for the question. So, as you noted, a number of requirements related to the Security Partner program, which enabled individual airports to choose to use contracted private entities for Screening Services while still matching the quality and type of screening provided by similar to tsa. We have already brought on for the majority of those requirements, specifically and probably the largest one being ensuring use of the full Cost Recovery that the federal government uses to evaluate the bids by the individual performance entities. At this point, we have already awarded 3 new contract this year under the new requirements , with the fourth one expected before the end of september. And we have several more scheduled for completion in early 2020. Are you briefing every airport director about this . Every airport director is very closely tied into the process by which we solicit the requirements and proceed through the actual analysis and results. Okay. Now, on real id, its our understanding that tsa will begin turning away travelers that dont have real id compliant id cards on october 1 of next year. How is that going . And you have some contingency plans for obviously, the people who are going to be caught by surprise . As you correctly noted, october 1, 2020 as the final implementation date for the real id act as implemented through regulation. Critically important to recall that the rationale and reason for the actor the first place is one of the recommendations coming from the 9 11 commission. Noting in fact, that that was one of the methods used by the perpetrators of the attack. At this stage, we are incredibly close coordination through dhs and with ch tsa directly. In every location around the country. We are working to get signs out. We have recently started as every individual travels, they will be notified of the document they are presenting at the time they come to our travel document checker, whether or not their identity document will meet the requirements post next year. We want to make sure everyone has the maximum amount of time they can in order to obtain either a real id compliant document or other acceptable form of identification, such as a passport or military identification. , mississippi drivers license here. Are all the states compliant now with the drivers licenses that are being issued as of this date . 50 and 56 issuing jurisdictions are currently compliant. The 6 remaining are scheduled to be complete in the next year. Some of those are states. Very good. It just seems to me that, once those 56 jurisdictions comply, thats going to take care of almost everybody. Sure hope so. Does tsa precheck helping to make the lines shorter for everybody else . Thank you very much for the question. In fact, we see a profound change in airports where significant population are pre checked. Members. In terms of the overall individual airports. As of right now, we have about 20 million individuals who are in the program, having their own travel number. That includes 9 million who are directly involved with reporter , another 9 million who are in the entry program. Another additional of the population such as yourself through the process we used to bring in other additional populations who are screened through very highly controlled processes. At this point, we see nationwide, about 20 of all travelers each day are precheck. 20 . Quite a good number. We want to continue to grow. Does that help the other 80 . It does. There is a requirement, none reporter passengers will must remove the liquids. If you precheck, you this is relaxed. Tell us about that, and what is the status of tsas deployment of computed tomography screening machines. And what is your anticipated time on allowing all passengers, not just pre check, to keep liquids and laptops in their bags during screening . As you noted, one of the primary differences between the most visible differences between s greeting and screening is the ability to leave your laptop in your bank. You can also leave your shoes on and my jackets. You dont have to take off clothing in order to go through the screening equipment. Great. As you have noted, one of the pieces we see that will help us get to the next stage is that commuter tomography or ct machine. Those machines, because of their much greater ability to gather additional sensor data, provide a significantly enhanced ability to see within that check, that carryon baggage, to look for items that might be threats. Meaning, we have to have less to bed stitcher, less passengers have to pull out from the bank. Lap tops are the easiest ones to proceed with first. We are also working very carefully with the makers of the equipment to look for what algorithms we can do, put in place to enhance beyond that that will