WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and John Katko (R-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, released the following statements after the introduction of their bill, the TSA Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act, which would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to streamline the application and renewal process for transportation workers applying for multiple credentials and establish a reduced fee structure for applicants.
 
“Many transportation workers across the country are required by law to hold multiple TSA credentials, yet the application and renewal process for the credentials is not streamlined. I have heard from workers in my district who end up spending a significant amount of time and money to keep their credentials up to date – this process clearly needs to be fixed,” said Rep. Adam Smith. “The bipartisan legislation introduced today will require TSA to make it easier and less costly for workers to maintain their credentials, taking some of the burden off our transportation workers who are critical to keeping our economy running. I appreciate Ranking Member Katko for working with me on this commonsense bill.”
 
“I’m proud to join Chairman Smith in introducing this important legislation. Our bill streamlines the process for transportation workers to apply for and enroll in multiple credentials from TSA. We need to remove unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that burden our transportation workers from doing their important jobs. Our transportation sector is imperative to our economic recovery from the pandemic, and this legislation eliminates redundant and costly requirements,” said Rep. John Katko.
 
Certain transportation workers across the country are required by law to hold multiple Transportation Security Administration (TSA) credentials, including the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME), and TSA PreCheck. The TSA Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act will require TSA to create a streamlined application and renewal process for workers applying for more than one of these credentials. It will also require TSA to establish a reduced fee structure for workers who are applying for or renewing multiple credentials.
 
Importantly, this legislation does not make any modifications to the back-end security assessment conducted on individual applicants, ensuring that applicants must undergo the same level of review as they do under current law. This bill simply modernizes the consumer-facing applicant process to reduce the burden on American transportation workers who must maintain more than one TSA credential.
 
The TSA Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act is endorsed by several organizations representing transportation workers and industry including: Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, Teamsters, American Trucking Association, Washington Trucking Associations, American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, Association of American Railroads, Border Trade Alliance, California Trucking Association, International Longshore & Warehouse Union: ILWU Local 19, National Energy and Fuels Institute, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), and National Tank Truck Carriers.
 
A fact sheet about the bill can be found here.
The full text of the bill can be found here.
 
See below for statements of support for the TSA Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act.
 
Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
 
"Our coalition of transportation labor unions applauds this important legislative effort to reduce the amount of time and money that transportation workers dole out to maintain multiple TSA security credentials as a requirement of their frontline jobs. Best of all, we can streamline this administrative process for workers without making any modifications to each individual security assessment. We commend Representatives Adam Smith and John Katko for their continued commitment to national security and America's transportation workers."
 
The Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, is a coalition of 33 member unions that provides a bold voice for workers in every mode of transportation – both in the private and public sector – and is devoted to protecting middle-class jobs, expanding collective bargaining, and ensuring modern, safe, and secure transportation operations and infrastructure.
 
Edwin Gilroy, Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs, The American Trucking Association
 
“On behalf of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the 7.9 million men and women employed by the trucking industry in every state and congressional district across the nation, I write to express our strong support for the Transportation Security Administration Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act. This critical legislation will standardize and streamline the enrollment process for individuals applying for multiple Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Threat Assessment (STA) programs, relieving truck drivers of duplicative fees and redundant background checks, and empowering them to meet the needs of supply chains moving hazardous materials and operating in secure facilities.”
 
American Trucking Associations is the largest and most comprehensive national trade association for the trucking industry.
 
Sheri Call, President and CEO, Washington Trucking Associations
 
“On behalf of the Washington Trucking Associations (WTA) and the 150,000 men and women employed by the trucking industry in Washington State, I write to express our strong support for the Transportation Security Administration Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act. This critical legislation will standardize and streamline the enrollment process for individuals applying for multiple Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Threat Assessment (STA) programs, relieving truck drivers of duplicative fees and redundant background checks, and empowering them to meet the needs of supply chains moving hazardous materials and operating in secure facilities.”
 
The Washington Trucking Associations (WTA) is the Washington trucking industry's information center and spokesperson; providing services tailored to its trucking industry members and keeping them informed.
 
Chuck Baker, President, American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association
 
“For some short line freight railroad workers, obtaining security credentials through TSA is a critical but often costly and time-consuming ordeal. We congratulate Reps. Smith and Katko for their leadership in advancing this smart, bipartisan bill to lessen unnecessary burdens and streamline the application process. We urge its swift consideration, as we’re confident the bill’s passage will help short line rail employees have more time to focus on our key mission: serving our customers and ensuring the speed and efficiency of our country’s supply chain.”
 
Founded in 1913, ASLRRA proudly represents the entrepreneurial owners and operators of short line and regional railroads throughout North America.
 
Ian N. Jefferies, President and CEO, Association of American Railroads
 
“The Association of American Railroads write in support of enactment of the TSA Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act. As the trade association representing all seven Class I railroads, Amtrak, and numerous shortline and commuter railroads, we applaud the bill’s common-sense solutions to streamline the enrollment process for individuals applying for multiple Transportation Security Administration Security Threat Assessment programs.”
 
Founded in 1934, AAR is the world’s leading railroad policy, research, standard setting, and technology organization that focuses on the safety and productivity of the U.S. freight rail industry. AAR Full members include the major freight railroads in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak.
 
Britton Mullen, President, The Border Trade Alliance
 
“We believe your legislation will standardize and streamline the enrollment process for individuals applying for multiple Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Threat Assessment (STA) programs and relieve truck drivers of duplicative fees and redundant background checks, an important step in modernizing the hazardous materials supply chain.”
 
The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) is North America’s premier authority on key issues affecting trade, travel, and security on the U.S. northern and southern borders, representing a large grassroots network of over 4.2 million public and private sector representatives.
 
Ryan L. Streblow, President and CEO, National Tank Truck Carriers
 
“The American supply chain crisis is now a prominent topic of national conversation, and NTTC firmly believes that this legislation is one crucial step needed to resolve logistics inefficiencies by streamlining background checks needed by certain truck drivers.”
 
National Tank Truck Carriers (NTCC) is committed to improving the tank truck industry’s safety through advocacy and education. NTTC has represented the interests of the tank truck industry since its founding in 1945 in Washington DC.
 

SEATTLE, WA – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement in response to the hostage situation that took place at a synagogue in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas on Saturday. 
 
“Nearly 12 hours after a gunman entered Congregation Beth Israel and took four people hostage during their morning service, the hostages were safely rescued and returned to their families. I extend my thoughts and support to the individuals who had to endure that traumatic experience in their place of worship. I would also like to thank the incredible state, local, and federal law enforcement agents – including the FBI negotiators – who resolved the situation and likely saved the lives of the individuals taken hostage yesterday.
 
“Yesterday’s hostage situation is an unfortunate reminder of the antisemitism that persists in the United States and around the world, and the risk of attack that synagogues face. These attacks must be forcefully condemned as the targeted acts of hatred and violence that they are. In the face of this hatred, we must come together and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Texas and across the country.”