Democrats successfully push transportation security measures

Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee successfully attached language to a bill Thursday that would set new transportation security requirements.

The amendments would require the Transportation Security Administration to issue regulations for biometric identification cards by June for all workers at transportation facilities across the country, and would require that mass transit and rail operators develop comprehensive security plans within 18 months.

"I think we cannot afford to ignore the security challenges that nonaviation modes present," said Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif.

The amendments were added to the Transportation Security Administration Reorganization Act, which is being marked up by the Homeland Security Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity Subcommittee. It will meet next Thursday to continue its markup.

Under an amendment from Sanchez, who is the subcommittee's ranking member, TSA would have to issue final regulations for implementing the Transportation Worker Identification Card by June 1, and begin issuing those cards no later than June 2007. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

The cards would be tamper-resistant and would contain biometric information so transportation facilities can verify a worker's identity and help prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing secure areas.

Under an amendment from Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, TSA would be required to issue regulations requiring rail and mass transit owners and operators to have comprehensive security plans to prevent and respond to disasters. That amendment also was adopted by voice vote.

The act is focused on overhauling how TSA manages airport security and screening operations.

Democrats succeeded by a voice vote in eliminating the sections from the act that would give incentives and special grants to airports if they use private screening companies. Republicans, however, requested a roll call vote on the matter to be held next Thursday.

"I'm trying to see if we can inject competition such that it improves every airport, those that have contractors and those that have government employees," said Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif., chairman of the subcommittee. "We will not allow [airports] in any way to short-circuit the security standards implemented by this Congress ... and carried out by the TSA."

Republicans also rejected along a party-line roll-call vote an amendment from Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., that would have required TSA to inspect all cargo carried on commercial passenger airplanes. The vote was 8-6.

Republicans rejected by voice vote two other amendments from Markey that would have required TSA to prohibit any blades from being carried abroad aircraft - regardless of size - and that would have required the Homeland Security Department to set regulations for the shipping of hazardous materials. But Markey requested a roll-call vote on those amendments to be held next Thursday.