WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, delivered the following prepared remarks at today’s “Transportation Security Administration Oversight: Confronting America’s Transportation Security Challenges” hearing:

Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this oversight hearing on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This is the first TSA hearing the committee has held since November of 2011, and the first opportunity to hear from Administrator Pistole since he provided a classified briefing on aviation threats to committee members last February.

Last week, a public opinion survey released by Harris Poll found that only half of respondents thought that TSA security screening procedures make air travel safer. Given this measure of public skepticism, which may reflect the fact that we thankfully haven’t experienced another  9/11 style attack, I hope the administrator can explain how his recent efforts to implement a risk-based approach to transportation security at the agency make it more efficient and effective at fulfilling its mission of securing the nation’s transportation systems.

I know Administrator Pistole has made this intelligence-driven approach a top priority, and has brought his former law enforcement experience to bear in the process. So, I look forward to hearing about TSA’s progress in implementing and expanding the risk-based PreCheck program, which I was pleased to hear has recently become easier for South Dakotans to participate in after two PreCheck enrollment centers opened in Rapid City and Pierre.

At the same time, there have been a number of recent security breaches in the news that have raised concerns about TSA’s ability to oversee and regulate airport security beyond the screening of passengers and baggage. Last November, an individual entered a Los Angeles International Airport terminal and shot a bystander and three TSA employees, one of whom—Gerardo Hernandez—tragically died from his injuries.

And just last week, a teenage stowaway scaled an airport perimeter fence, climbed into an airplane wheel well, and somehow survived a flight from San Jose to Maui, Hawaii.  Although TSA and FBI investigators have yet to release further details on how he evaded detection by the airport’s multi-layered security system, I hope the administrator can discuss generally the TSA’s role in overseeing airport perimeter security and access controls, and how we all might learn from these two incidents. 

Technology is one tool that TSA uses to mitigate threats, but the agency’s history of technology acquisition is spotty at best – from the failed deployment of unreliable “Puffer” machines to the recent removal of those advanced imaging technology (AIT) machines that could not be modified to replace detailed  images of passengers with more generic images and automated threat detection software. 

Industry stakeholders have also criticized TSA for making it difficult for industry to plan ahead and invest in innovative research and development. Legislation to improve transparency and accountability in technology acquisition spending by TSA cleared the House unanimously last December. This legislation and a companion bill introduced by our colleague Senator Ayotte and cosponsored by Senator Blunt have been referred to this committee, and I hope the administrator can comment on these bills and ongoing acquisition challenges.

Mr. Chairman, as we consider TSA’s use of its resources, I also want to note my concerns about recent increases to the passenger aviation security fee adopted under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. The act, which was drafted without authorizing committee input, raises the passenger fee on July 1^st to $5.60 per passenger per one-way flight, and diverts $12.6 billion of the total fees generated over the next 10 years to deficit reduction rather than aviation security. While I certainly support deficit reduction, I do not think that the air traveling public should be singled out to pay for it.

In addition, commercial airlines have expressed concerns about TSA’s implementation of the increased fee, specifically the elimination of the one-way trip cap and the resulting cost increases for long, multi-leg, round-trip travel. I look forward to hearing clarification from the administrator on exactly how the TSA will implement this fee change.  

I am also looking forwarded to discussing the efforts that TSA is undertaking in the surface transportation and maritime sectors. One TSA program that has come under increased scrutiny recently is the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC, program.  Recent reports from the Government Accountability Office have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of this program, and I would like to hear Administrator’s Pistole’s suggestions on how the TWIC program can be improved. 

I am also interested in hearing the administrator’s plans for TSA to carry out its mission as the lead federal agency for all transportation security matters, regardless of mode. I know that in response to the recent shooting at LAX, TSA has reduced the percentage of Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response teams assigned to surface transportation security from 70 to 50 percent, and I would like to know whether the administrator thinks this reduction will have any negative consequences.

Mr. Chairman, thank you again for holding this hearing, and thank you to Administrator Pistole for being here today. I look forward to the testimony and the opportunity to ask questions.

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