Senate Panel Approves TSA Clearance Bill for Truckers
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A committee in the U.S. Senate recently approved a bill that would facilitate commercial drivers’ applications for security credentials.
The bipartisan Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act, introduced by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), is meant to standardize the security application process for individuals affiliated with the freight sector. The bill, advanced to the Senate floor July 31, would specifically facilitate access to multiple credentials.
“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. To ease that burden, our bill will streamline the TSA’s certification process without sacrificing security,” Wicker, ranking member on the Armed Services Committee, said earlier this year.
Other co-lead sponsors include Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Angus King (I-Maine) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.). “Streamlining that process is a no-brainer, plain and simple. Together, we’ll keep working until we get this bipartisan bill across the finish line,” said Tester, chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Wicker
The bill’s sponsors explained policy updates tucked in the bill would maintain high security standards. Six months after the bill’s enactment, TSA would be required to provide Congress with an update on the law’s progress. Its floor consideration has yet to be scheduled.
Currently, members of the transportation industry workforce seeking certain security access to federal facilities are often required to pursue various applications through the Transportation Security Administration’s security clearance process. These transportation workers are required to maintain TSA credentials, such as the Transportation Worker Identification Credential and Hazardous Materials Endorsements.
Graves
On the other side of the Capitol, House lawmakers unveiled their legislative version in December. “Ridiculous regulations and red tape have crushed America’s supply chain workers. We need to expedite the time it takes to put an essential worker into our workforce, not requiring people to stand in line for security credentials only to have them get back in line to obtain a redundant background check for another TSA credential,” Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), a lead sponsor and chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, said when the bill was introduced.
“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,” said Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), a co-lead sponsor of the bill. He is the ranking member on the Armed Services Committee. “The legislation we introduced would create a more streamlined application and renewal process, reducing unnecessary hurdles for transportation workers, a crucial workforce in our economy.”
Spear
American Trucking Associations is among the stakeholders endorsing the bill. “Subjecting essential supply chain workers to the same exact background check multiple times in order to receive different credentials from the same agency does nothing to enhance security,” ATA President Chris Spear said July 31. “This system only serves to pad government coffers by forcing truckers and other transportation workers to pay duplicative fees for a background check they’ve already cleared.
“Congress should not allow the inefficiencies of government bureaucracy to impede the efficiency of our supply chain. We applaud Sens. Wicker, Tester, Fischer and King for introducing this bipartisan bill to support the hardworking men and women who keep our economy running, and we appreciate the leadership of Sens. [Maria] Cantwell and [Ted] Cruz who were instrumental in bringing this common-sense bill one step closer to the finish line.” Cantwell is the Commerce Committee’s chairwoman. Cruz is the ranking member.
Great news! 🎉 The Senate Commerce Committee passed legislation to eliminate redundant and costly applications for credentials needed by essential supply chain workers.
Thank you @SenatorWicker and @SenatorTester for authoring this commonsense bill.https://t.co/wvp20thfSV — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) July 31, 2024
Also supportive of the bill are the National Propane Gas Association, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, Border Trade Alliance, National Tank Truck Carriers, Association of American Railroads, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association and the National Energy & Fuels Institute.
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