House Committee Approves TSA Clearance Bill
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WASHINGTON — A committee in the House of Representatives easily approved a bill meant to facilitate commercial drivers’ access to security credentials.
The bipartisan Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), seeks to standardize the security application process for the trucking workforce. Its approval in the Homeland Security Committee on Sept. 25 advanced it to the House floor. A vote in the chamber has yet to be scheduled.
The bill would streamline access to multiple credentials while maintaining high security standards industrywide. Additionally, following the bill’s enactment, the Transportation Security Administration would be required to provide Congress with an update on the law’s implementation.
Currently, transportation workers seeking certain security access to federal facilities often must navigate the TSA’s clearance process. These workers are required to maintain TSA credentials, such as the Transportation Worker Identification Credential and Hazardous Materials Endorsements.
The bill has garnered support from both lawmakers and industry stakeholders. Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) emphasized the importance of streamlining the credentialing process for truck drivers, highlighting their crucial role in the economy.
Graves, chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, criticized the current system during the bill’s introduction. He said that excessive regulations and bureaucracy have hindered supply chain workers, calling for a more efficient process that eliminates redundant security checks and expedites placing essential workers in the workforce.
Smith
“I’ve heard from many transportation workers in my district who have had to spend a significant amount of time and money to keep their required credentials up to date,” added Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the bill’s co-lead sponsor and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. Floor action on the House bill has yet to be scheduled.
Industry support for the legislation is strong, with American Trucking Associations leading more than 150 stakeholders in advocating for its passage. ATA President Chris Spear praised the bill’s approval in committee.
“The hardworking truck drivers and other essential transportation workers who keep our supply chain running should not be saddled with redundant background checks and pay duplicative fees to obtain the credentials they need to do their jobs,” Spear said. “Unfortunately, those who operate at ports and maritime facilities or handle hazardous materials are subject to unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles imposed by the federal government that waste their time and money.”
Spear
Spear commended the bipartisan effort behind the bill and expressed appreciation for the leadership of Chairman Mark Green and ranking member Bennie Thompson in advancing the reforms.
In a letter to the House Homeland Security Committee’s leadership, the coalition of stakeholders emphasized the bill’s potential to streamline enrollment and renewal processes for key security programs. They argued that the legislation would reduce hassle and expenses for workers requiring multiple security credentials as a condition of employment.
RELATED: ATA Calls on Congress to Streamline Transport Credentials
The stakeholders further stressed the need for federal credentialing procedures to be streamlined, accessible and affordable, enabling workers to obtain necessary documentation without navigating unnecessary bureaucracy.
Joining ATA in the letter to Green and Thompson were the American Chemistry Council, the Transportation Intermediaries Association and the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO.
On the other side of the Capitol, a Senate committee in July advanced its legislative version of the bill. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member on the Armed Services Committee, is the bill’s co-lead sponsor. “Truckers and other transportation professionals often need a variety of security certifications to do their job. However, maintaining so many different credentials takes time, money and can be complicated,” Wicker said, adding, “To ease that burden, our bill will streamline the TSA’s certification process without sacrificing security.”
The Senate bill awaits consideration on the floor of the chamber.
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