The U.S. Travel Association applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 2217, which includes provisions require the Transportation Safety Administration to cut wait times at TSA checkpionts at U.S. airports.


“The House approval today of the FY 2014, , the Fiscal Year 2014 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill, is a step toward strengthening America’s national security while recognizing the vital role of travel in the U.S. economy,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “We are grateful to Chairman John Carter (R-TX) and Ranking Member David Price (D-NC) of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security for their leadership on the bill and its provisions to improve travel in America.”

 

 

Travel provisions supported by U.S. Travel in H.R. 2217 include:

 

 


  • Making available $210 million for 1,600 new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers for land, air and sea ports of entry to facilitate legitimate travel and trade;
  • Requiring the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to report to Congress within 90 days (following enactment of the law) on plans to reduce passenger wait times at TSA checkpoints;
  • Requiring CBP to report quarterly to the House Committee on Appropriations and make public the number of passengers whose entry wait times exceed 60 minutes;
  • Requiring CBP to expand the use of their workload alignment tools and enhance trusted traveler integration to improve agency efficiency;
  • Requiring TSA to continue developing new technology to reduce burdensome screening procedures; and
  • Requiring TSA to expand Pre✓ to additional populations to realize the program’s benefits.

“We have continuously advocated for an increase to the current inadequate number of CBP officers at leading U.S. gateway airports and a reduction in troublesome traveler wait times,” said Dow. “When people travel to and across America, they should enjoy their experience and leave with a positive impression-so that they will return and bring the economy-boosting benefits of travel with them. We look forward to working with Congress and DHS to implement these measures and ensure travel remains America’s No. 1 services export.”