8th District Congressman Votes to Protect Pennsylvania Families by Beefing up Security on Rail and Transit Systems – Including SEPTA and Amtrak

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th district) voted to improve rail security by developing a national plan and sending more money for these transportation systems to protect riders. The bill, which passed by a bipartisan margin, also protects transit employees who put their jobs on the line and report risks and violations. Our nation’s railways are vulnerable to attack and these provisions will help protect SEPTA and Amtrak passengers across Pennsylvania. The measure Murphy supported today requires the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Department of Transportation to require transit systems – especially those at great risk – to develop security plans. Further, the measure would require preventive training for employees, a preparedness test for the rail systems themselves and authorizes money to research security threats. The bill also requires that the Department of Homeland Security beef up the number of rail security inspectors from only 100 now to 600 in the next three years.

“Preserving the security of the SEPTA system is vital – not just for our area economy but for those who have loved ones that commute,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “With this vote today, we acted with urgency to secure public transit for Pennsylvania commuters and protect those we care about.”

“The devastating attacks in Madrid and London were a wake-up call for all of us. I often go to the SEPTA stations in the mornings to greet commuters and security is something I hear all the time. I am proud that in less than 100 days, I have voted to implement the security measures of the 9/11 Commission and to improve rail security for 8th district families,” added Murphy.

Features of H.R. 1401 – The Rail and Mass Transit Security Act

The bill requires the Homeland Security Department to develop a national plan for protecting railways, public transportation and inter-city buses from attacks, and authorizes $6 billion over four years for grants to protect these transportation systems. It also extends “whistleblower” protections to employees of rail, transit, and bus systems who identify and report risks and security violations. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland Security to implement a threat assessment screening program that would include name-based checks against terrorist watch lists and immigration status check, for all employees of covered transportation. It would also give the Transportation Security Administration the authority to enforce security measures. The TSA already can do that for air travel, but currently cannot for other modes of transportation.

# # #

Contact: Adam Abrams, (202) 225-4276