Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) juggled duties between two of his three committees during mark-ups of new legislation overhauling America’s security systems prompted by the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Aviation, transit and identity security management were at the forefront of the meetings.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee focused primarily on aviation and transit issues. Some key components of the aviation legislation, which passed by a voice vote, include the establishment of a common biometrics standard. This biometric standard would then be used to identify terrorists. Another aspect of the legislation addresses the need to expedite deployment of integrated, in-line explosive detection systems for checked baggage through the use of innovative, non-federal financing, such as leasing contracts. Both of these measures, utilized in tandem, will enhance safety on airplanes.

“The 9/11 Commission report addresses a number of critical policy recommendations for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA),” stated Congressman Michael Burgess. “Most importantly, the report makes it very clear that TSA must improve the passenger screening process. We need to secure our skys by implementing more effective security screening procedures like biometric technologies.”

Transit security was also addressed in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today. The “Public Transportation Terrorism Prevention and Response Act of 2004,” approved by a voice vote, authorizes $3.5 billion over the next three years for public transportation security grants. The grants will be based on assessments of risk and vulnerability consistent with the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

“With some 14 million passengers a day utilizing America’s transit systems, almost eight times as many passengers as the U.S. aviation system, it is an area where we cannot afford to forget,” commented Burgess.

Congressman Michael Burgess also participated in the Government Reform Committee’s mark-up. The committee addressed several of the 9/11 Commissions’ recommendations, namely, improving security identification.

Improving security identification includes making it more difficult for terrorists to falsify documents to gain admission and remain in the country to plan and plot terrorist acts. The legislation would require all drivers' licenses and birth certificates to bear a set of standard characteristics thereby cutting down on forgeries. It also looks to reduce the black market for identification documents where terrorists make a living by providing bogus birth certificates and drivers' licenses. A final portion of identity security includes the standardization of entry requirements for all individuals coming into the United States.

“Internationals traveling with the United States must show properly identification,” stated Congressman Burgess. “It is simply a matter of security. We must tighten and standardize our identification documents. This will enable us to weed-out those who seek to do us harm.”

Congress is currently working on a comprehensive bill addressing the 9/11 Commission’s report. These concepts are among those being discussed for the final version of the bill.