FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2014  

Hudson’s Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Airport Security Measures Passes the U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, released the following statement after his bipartisan bill, the Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2014 (H.R. 4802), passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

“With threats to our nation’s transportation systems constantly evolving, we must work to ensure the airport community is prepared to respond effectively and efficiently to protect the traveling public. This bill will provide more extensive collaboration and coordination between all transportation security stakeholders and create safer airports across the country. Given the partisan gridlock in Washington, I am proud of the bipartisan support this common-sense legislation received in the House, and I hope it will be swiftly brought to the Senate floor. I will continue to work to ensure our airports and TSA have the tools needed to keep our travelers safe.”

The Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2014 (H.R. 4802) addresses the lessons learned from last year’s shooting at LAX that tragically claimed the life of TSA Officer Gerardo Hernandez. H.R. 4802 aims to ensure that domestic airports are properly prepared and equipped to respond to security incidents and terrorist attacks. In addition, the bill would require TSA to report to Congress on the overall level of preparedness at airports nationwide, identify best practices that exist across airports and share them with other airport operators.  Finally, the bill would require TSA report to Congress on the status of (1) active-shooter training for screening personnel, and (2) law enforcement reimbursable agreements that are used to offset the costs of security at the screening checkpoints. 

In March, Chairman Hudson and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10) held a field hearing at LAX to review the findings of various assessments of the tragedy with TSA Administrator Pistole and local law enforcement and discuss potential changes to emergency response protocols at airports nationwide. Last month, the Subcommittee on Transportation Security held a follow-up hearing on Capitol Hill to determine what lessons can be applied to better protect airports from active shooters.

*This is Rep. Hudson’s second piece of stand-alone legislation to pass the U.S. House of Representatives during his first term in Congress.

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