John Katko

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of Edward Robb ``Ted'' Barrett. Ted was born on September 14, 1991, and passed away on January 30, 2016--far, far too early. Ted was a loving son, a brother to six, and a loyal friend to countless more in our community. Ted had a unique ability to light up any room he entered. His lighthearted, joyful spirit uplifted everyone he met. A graduate of Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, of Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts, and of Hamilton College, Ted thrived as an athlete and always looked for ways to give back to those less fortunate. He had a passion and a deep admiration for America's heroes and valued Team Red, White, and Blue's great work in enriching the lives of veterans in need. I had the great privilege of knowing Ted personally and was inspired by his kindness, his humor, and his love for his family and country. Ted will always be remembered as an honorable young man who touched many lives, having a lasting positive impact on all who knew and loved him. May his name forever be remembered in the Congressional Record and in the great United States of America.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of Dr. Gregory Eastwood. I am incredibly privileged to be joined here today by Dr. Eastwood and his wonderful family. Celebrated throughout our entire region for his commitment to service, Dr. Eastwood first served as president of the State University of New York Upstate Medical University from 1993 until 2006--the longest in the history of the institution and of all sitting presidents on SUNY campuses. Dr. Eastwood returned to the president's seat in October 2013 when the campus was in dire need of his capable leadership. Dr. Eastwood has served our community for years with distinction, holding leadership roles and partnering with many different organizations in the region. He advanced an aggressive vision for the SUNY Upstate, which has grown under his leadership through the establishment of the University Health Care Center, the Joslin Diabetes Center, and the Golisano Children's Hospital. A clinician, scholar, educator, community leader, and author, Dr. Eastwood has had a remarkable career. Today, I want to thank Dr. Eastwood for his excellence, professionalism, caring presence, and commitment to the SUNY University and to central New York. Our community is stronger now because of your work, Dr. Eastwood. We will sorely miss you.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for introducing this bill, and I rise today in support of it. The tragic events in San Bernardino have brought ISIS violence to our shores. Attacks like this are aimed at undermining our democratic way of life and sowing fear among the citizens of our Nation. This threat must be defeated, plain and simple. To defeat it, we need to respond in an intelligent manner that deals with the vulnerabilities and protects the constitutional liberties that we hold dear. The measure before us today strengthens our hand against terrorism, and I hope the House will join today in a strong, bipartisan manner to support this bill. I had the privilege of chairing the bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorism and Foreign Fighter Travel. Over 6 months, we investigated security gaps at home and abroad to determine the best ways to make America safe. We heard from stakeholders here in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, about the unique challenges they face every day in combating terrorism. Out of this Task Force, we came up with 32 findings and over 50 recommendations that will make our country and our allies safer, if adopted. This bill, Mr. Speaker, contains one of those recommendations, that our intelligence community should report regularly on the flow of foreign fighters to terrorist safe havens. The bill takes action to stop ISIS' practice of encouraging fighters to go to what it calls provinces in places like Libya to carry out acts of terrorism by improving the sharing of information on the flow of these foreign fighters between nations. Understanding where the enemy's safe havens are and tracking and analyzing foreign fighter flows will better allow our intelligence agencies and the Department of Defense to strike effectively and deadly and give us a better picture of the ISIS threat. As we leave to celebrate the holidays with our families, let's leave having taken action on this commonsense bill that will make every American safer.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Chief Master Sergeant John F. Ditro who will retire from the United States Air Force on December 31, 2015. Chief Master Sergeant Ditro has more than 27 years of combined military service in the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, and the New York Air National Guard. Chief Ditro entered the United States Navy through the delayed enlistment program in May of 1982 and was called up to active duty in July of that year. In January of 1983, he was assigned to the United States Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, working on truck diesel engines and aviation fuel pumps in support of the Aviation Fuels Division. After a brief stint in the naval reserves, Chief Ditro re-enlisted in the United States Navy in March of 1986. He was stationed aboard the Caloosahatchee and in March of 1988, Chief Ditro was released from the United States Navy. Chief Ditro then began working as a civilian accountant at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base and in 1994 he joined the Pennsylvania Air National Guard as a Combat Communications technician. In August of 1995 Chief Ditro accepted a position with the New York Air National Guard working as a Command and Control Battle Management Operations specialist in the Northeast Air Defense Sector. Chief Ditro was activated on September 11, 2001 after the attack on the World Trade Center. In June of 2002, Chief Ditro transferred to the 174th Fighter Wing located at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York. Chief Ditro was named the Financial Management Superintendent in 2003; under Chief Ditro's management, the financial services office was named the Financial Services Office of the Year in 2008. In June of 2010, Chief Ditro accepted the challenge to become the first Operations Support Squadron Superintendent leading the charge to assist the Operations Group in all missions as the Chief of Intelligence. Chief Master Sergeant Ditro's major awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 Devices, Air Force Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Readiness Medal with 2 Devices, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with 6 Devices, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Device, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, Air Force Longevity with 5 Devices, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 3 ``M'' Devices, New York Recruiting Medal, New York Humane Service to New York State Medal, New York Air National Guard Outstanding Enlisted Leader of the Year Ribbon, and New York Defense of Liberty award. Chief Ditro has served his country honorably and for that he has my utmost respect. I want to thank him for his dedication, loyalty, and service to his country. I wish Chief Ditro the best and I hope that he enjoys his retirement with his wife Sandy and his two sons, Jason and Joshua.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Meg Lawyer-Meccariello, who fought a hard battle against mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer. Early in my term I met Meg in my office in Washington when she came to share the story of her sister, Mary Jo Lawyer Spano, who lost her life in her courageous battle with mesothelioma. Meg shared how mesothelioma had tragically impacted her family, claiming the lives of Mary Jo and her father and leaving Meg and her sisters with unnerving diagnoses. I vividly remember Meg's frustration and disparity by the information and lack of awareness about mesothelioma. Despite all of this, Meg was a tremendous advocate for finding a cure for this terrible disease. Meg was instrumental in the introduction of legislation named in her sister's honor which would create the Nation's first mesothelioma patient registry. I will continue to champion this legislation in Congress, now in memory of both Mary Jo and Meg. Meg lived with hope, strength, and grace, and she left this world a better place. The Meccariello and Lawyer families are in our prayers.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 20th anniversary of the Central New York Storm Cheerleading All Star Program. The CNY Storm was founded in 1996 and was the first All Star program in New York State. The CNY Storm provides a welcoming environment where all ages and ability levels are invited to come and learn about cheerleading and tumbling. The CNY Storm All Star Program is the longest running and most successful program not only in Central New York, the Capital District, and North Country, but in all of New York State. The coaches and staff at CNY Storm are knowledgeable, experienced and nationally recognized. The team is a United States All Star Foundation member gym and all athletes are USASF members. The CNY Storm Cheerleading Program plays an important role in Central New York, working with young people locally to teach them life skills, teambuilding, character education and the importance of community and the pursuit of academic goals. The team continuously offers community service activities for its team members, along with academic rewards, college scouting opportunities, and a family atmosphere. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the CNY Storm Cheerleading All Star Program and congratulate the program on achieving its 20th anniversary. I wish the program continued success for years to come.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Thomas Gallagher, an honorable public servant who passed away earlier this week. Following his service in the United States Air Force during the Korean war, Thomas earned an undergraduate and master's degree while simultaneously pursuing his career in law enforcement and raising a family. Thomas joined the New York City Police Department in 1957 and went on to serve the city for 37 years, rising all the way to the rank of assistant chief. Mr. Speaker, Thomas Gallagher was the son of Irish immigrants. From a very early age, he learned the importance of hard work and selfless dedication to his family and the community. Though he endured many tragedies in his life, including the loss of all three of his wives to various diseases, he never lost his zeal for life. He was often buoyed by the great pride he held for all three of his children, who rose to become great successes in law, business, and the Secret Service. Thomas personifies the great American spirit. Not only did he persevere through trying times, he prospered. His was a life well lived, and I feel truly blessed to have known him and his great family. May God now hold Thomas in the palm of His hand.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of Dr. Gregory L. Eastwood who served as President of the State University of New York Upstate Medical University from January 1, 1993 until June 2, 2006. At the time, Dr. Eastwood's tenure was noted as one of the longest in the history of the institution and the longest of all sitting presidents of the State University of New York State Operated campuses. Dr. Eastwood kindly answered the call to return to the President's seat in October 2013 when the campus was in need of experienced and capable leadership. Dr. Eastwood will now say farewell to the presidency of Upstate Medical University as he retires this year. Dr. Eastwood currently serves on the SUNY Upstate Medical University Foundation Board of Directors. Dr. Eastwood teaches the Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Medicine course and the Clinical Bioethics course in the College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate. Dr. Eastwood also teaches ethics courses for the College of Graduate Studies, College of Nursing, and College of Health Professions. Dr. Eastwood has authored over 130 articles and book chapters and has written and edited several books. Dr. Eastwood has served the Central New York community for years with distinction, holding leadership roles and partnering with many different organizations in the region. During Dr. Eastwood's first tenure as President he advanced an aggressive vision for the Upstate Medical University Campus which has fostered the growth of the clinical enterprise through the establishment of the University Health Care Center, the Joslin Diabetes Center, and an expansion that included the Golisano Children's Hospital. He also supported the educational mission of the campus by supporting a new College of Medicine curriculum, the establishment of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities, and many other projects that supported the educational mission of the campus. During Dr. Eastwood's second tenure he revamped SUNY Upstate Medical University's relationship with SUNY Central Administration and undertook all projects with the explicit goal of leaving the institution in a better place for the next President. Dr. Gregory L. Eastwood has had a remarkable career, serving at multiple prominent medical schools and influencing the medical community with his participation on countless organizations' boards and committees. Dr. Eastwood has served the SUNY Upstate community and the medical community honorably and he will be missed greatly. On behalf of the entire Central New York community, I would like to thank Dr. Eastwood for his passion and dedication to a community that greatly respects him and is stronger now because of his work.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. This bill, which I cosponsored, will close a critical gap in our Nation's security that is vulnerable to exploitation by terrorists and other nefarious actors seeking to do us harm. This bill strengthens the security of the Visa Waiver Program by requiring participating nations to increase counterterrorism information sharing, screen travelers against INTERPOL's databases, and enhance passport security features. As chair of the Committee on Homeland Security's Foreign Fighter Task Force, I spent countless hours with my colleagues examining weaknesses in our Nation's defenses against the threat posed by foreign fighters. The provisions in this bill address several of the key findings in that report. I thank Mrs. Miller for her leadership on this important issue. I also want to thank and note the continuing bipartisan cooperation that is part of the Committee on Homeland Security. I commend my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for their continuing good work on that committee. In closing, I would like to urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Wayne County, New York's most dedicated public servants, Jim Hoffman, and to send him off on a well-deserved retirement. Jim's esteemed career in public service began when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a young man. It continued with his 30 years with the New York State Police, five terms serving as town supervisor in Williamson and 10 years as chairman of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors. Jim has faithfully served the constituents in the Town of Williamson and all of Wayne County. Under his leadership, Wayne County is certainly a better place to live. He has lowered taxes in Williamson, kept taxes stable across the county, supported our region's vast community of growers and farmers, emerged as a leader in the fight against Plan 2014, and made the Town of Williamson the first in all of New York State to function 100 percent on solar power. There is no question that Jim's lifetime of service deserves recognition. He has been a great friend, mentor, and confidant throughout my time representing the people of the 24th Congressional District in the House of Representatives. I am so very appreciative for all that he has done for me and for our community. Jim, congratulations to you on a long and distinguished career. Enjoy your retirement with your children and grandchildren. God bless you.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to support the Surface Transportation Reform and Reauthorization Act. This legislation is a product of hard work, done in a bipartisan manner, and it will give State and local governments some funding certainty for the first time in a long time. The bill makes important reforms that will speed up planning and permitting, that will give State and local governments increased control over transportation funds, that will help deal with freight bottlenecks, and that will provide new avenues to finance projects. After 35 short-term extensions to transportation programs since 2009, this long-term bill is exactly what we need. I want to thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for the hard work they have put in to building a bipartisan consensus around this bill on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and I hope the full House will join with us today to move this very important legislation forward.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 455, the Northern Border Security Review Act, and urge its passage. This legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a much-needed threat analysis of current and potential threats along our Nation's vast northern border. As a former Federal prosecutor on both the northern border in New York and the southern border in El Paso, Texas, not to mention my time as a Federal prosecutor on the island of Puerto Rico, I have seen firsthand the challenges our Nation faces to counter violent drug trafficking organizations, organized crime syndicates, and human trafficking that transit across our Nation's border. While great attention is justifiably given to the challenges of securing our southern border, ensuring the safety of our vast northern border is also critical to our Nation's security. It has been well documented that several major terrorist plots have been discovered and disrupted along the northern border in recent years. Ahmed Ressam, the so-called millennium bomber, was entering Washington State from Canada with a concealed bomb intended to detonate at LAX Airport when he was arrested by alert Customs agents in 1999. In 2013, with the help of our Canadian allies, the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police thwarted an attempt to derail and kill passengers on a train between New York and Toronto, which became known as the VIA rail plot. As chairman of the Homeland Security Committee's bipartisan Foreign Fighters Task Force, I recently examined other vulnerabilities at our border associated with foreign fighter travel. Unfortunately, neither the United States nor Canada is immune to the threat of foreign fighters who may be inspired by groups like ISIS or otherwise radicalized online from others abroad. Among the findings of the bipartisan Task Force was the identification of security weaknesses that are putting the U.S. homeland in danger by making it easier for foreign fighters to migrate to terrorist hotspots and for jihadists to return to the West. One such vulnerability stems from our vast northern border that we share with Canada. Along this border, we face a number of unique challenges both geographically and jurisdictionally. Complicating the current understanding of the security needs along our northern border is the administration's decision to stop providing metrics to Congress in 2010 that identified the number of miles under operational control. In that year, the Government Accountability Office reported that only 69 miles, or about 2 percent of the northern border's 4,000 miles, were under operational control. Let me repeat that. Only 2 percent of our northern border is under operational control. To address this lack of information with regard to the state of northern border security, this legislation requires that an assessment be conducted to analyze a variety of issues facing the northern border. These include potential terrorist threats, potential improvements, gaps in law or policy, and illegal border activity. This analysis is intended to better inform any resources that are needed along the border to increase operational control and legislation that can result therefrom. I recently had the opportunity to spend time with CBP officers and agents at the Port of Oswego in my district. I am continually impressed with their ability to carry out their duties in incredibly difficult situations. This bill will help them better secure our Nation's borders, as it will give our agents and officers the tools and information needed to better do their jobs. Previous analyses of the northern border have largely focused on drug trafficking and lack a holistic security approach to the issues that are unique along the northern border. The analysis required in this bill will provide Customs and Border Protection with the foundation needed to address all threats at and between ports of entry along the northern border. It will also provide Congress with the information necessary to conduct proper oversight. In my 10 months in office, I have worked vigorously to address known challenges that the Department of Homeland Security faces. Since January, I, along with both my Republican and Democratic colleagues, have introduced seven pieces of legislation that address transportation and border security issues and hope that this will be the third bipartisan bill that we send to the President's desk. This final product embodies the essence of bipartisanship, and I am proud to say that all Americans will benefit from the work my colleagues and I have done to secure our northern border. My colleagues and I understand we have a lot more work to do, and I promise we will continue to provide diligent oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. When we see a problem at this agency, we work swiftly together in a bipartisan manner with our Democratic brothers and sisters to address it. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation. I would like to thank Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security Chairman Candice Miller for her support, along with my fellow northern border colleagues who have joined as cosponsors. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 455. This bill is going to form the foundation for properly securing the northern border once and for all. While our Canadian brothers and sisters are indeed our friends, the fact remains that bad people in Canada are intent on coming to the United States and vice versa and are intent on doing harm here. We must secure our borders. Having a 98 percent open border with Canada is absolutely unacceptable. This bill is the first step in moving towards securing that border in a proper manner by making sure that we do a proper analysis once and for all, which I am not sure has ever been done in this manner. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I briefly just want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Higgins) for their comments. They echo the sentiments that I believe firmly, that the Homeland Security Subcommittee is probably the most bipartisan committee in Congress. It is an honor to be a part of it. It is an honor to serve with my colleagues I just mentioned and the others. Every single bill we have has bipartisan support. Every single bill seems to be like we are all on the same page, and that is really important when we have national security issues at hand. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman from New York has no further speakers, I am prepared to close once the gentleman does.

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 455) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a northern border threat analysis, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Brian C. Ballentine of Liverpool, New York and Troopers Michael L. Gardner and David A. Johns of the New York State Police. On September 5, 2015, Trooper Gardner and Trooper Johns, with the help of private civilian Mr. Ballentine heroically saved a 4-year old child. On September 5, Trooper Gardner and Trooper Johns responded to an amber alert issued by the Vermont State Police while traveling on the New York State Thruway. As Trooper Gardner and Trooper Johns spotted a vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle in the amber alert they received a radio call advising that a private citizen, Mr. Ballentine, had called 911 to report that the van was in fact the suspected vehicle. With this confirmation Trooper Gardner and Trooper Johns were able to stop the vehicle and safely rescue the 4-year old child. Trooper Michael L. Gardner is a 12-year veteran of the New York State Police. He has been stationed in Troops D and B and has been assigned to the New York State Thruway in Troop T since October of 2012. Trooper Gardner is currently stationed at State Police Syracuse in Dewitt, New York. Trooper David A. Johns in an 8-year veteran of the New York State Police. He has been stationed in Troops B and D and has been assigned to the New York State Thruway in Troop T since October of 2009. He is currently stationed at State Police Syracuse in Dewitt, New York. Mr. Brian C. Ballentine of Liverpool, New York has lived in the Central New York community his entire life and I am proud to recognize his exemplary actions in our community. I am honored to recognize Trooper Gardner, Trooper Johns, and Mr. Ballentine for their heroic actions on September 5, 2015. The 4-year old girl is now out of harm's way thanks to these three brave men. Trooper Gardner's and Trooper Johns's efforts in this situation exemplify the finest traditions of the New York State Police and I wish them continued success in their careers.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Tully Hill Chemical Dependency Center in Tully, New York. The Tully Hill Chemical Dependency Center opened in 1990 to provide quality detoxification and inpatient rehabilitation services to the Central New York community. Tully Hill began outpatient treatment services in 1996 and continues to provide chemical dependency treatment to individuals in need in the 24th District. As a former federal prosecutor in Syracuse, NY, I saw the direct impact chemical dependency and addiction has on the safety, health, and success of our community. Chemical dependency centers, such as Tully Hill, are crucial to the reduction of chemical dependency throughout Central New York. Centers, such as Tully Hill, help Central New York individuals and families in their time of need to regain their health and lead positive lives through comprehensive, safe treatment. I am proud to recognize the Tully Hill Chemical Dependency Center and congratulate the Center on the achievement of its 25th anniversary. On behalf of Central New York and the more than 17,000 patients and their families that Tully Hill has helped in their efforts to achieve and maintain sobriety, I want to thank the Tully Hill Chemical Dependency Center for their work in our community.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of independent audio drama to our nation's culture and history. For over one hundred years, the dramatic scripts, compelling music, and sound effects of audio drama have resonated with listeners across various ethnic, financial, and geographic divides. During the Great Depression, radio drama adaptations of novels and plays achieved widespread popularity as a means of increasing morale through such difficult times. With the increase in televised and video entertainment came the waning interest in radio drama. However, in recent years, the growth of independent media production has revived audio drama within the U.S. Independent audio drama is now providing aspiring as well as seasoned artists with a unique and sophisticated platform to reach diverse audiences. I am proud to rise in recognition of independent audio drama as it continues to expand, exhibit the work of our talented rising artists, and impact the lives of countless Americans.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Bill Carey, a beloved central New York television and radio journalist. For over four decades, Bill's familiar voice could be heard in households throughout central New York. His stories were always memorable. He possessed the stunning ability to transform ordinary news into a fascinating story. Bill's love for his work earned him a special place in the hearts of central New Yorkers. Less than a year ago, I was joined here in Washington by Bill on the very day that I was sworn in to represent central New York in Congress. Today, I am joined here by Bill's beloved wife of more than 40 years, MaryEllen, and his daughter Joelle. I would like to tell them that Bill was a great reporter and an even better friend and that he touched the lives of so many in our community; but they already know that. They know it from the tributes that ran on every type of media outlet in central New York upon the news of his death. Bill made stories count. He will forever be remembered as one of the best journalists our town has ever known, and he was a great guy as well. God bless you, Bill.

Mr. KATKO

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 3102 is a critically important, bipartisan piece of legislation, which serves as a culmination of months of intense oversight on the issue of airport access controls and the insider threat to aviation security. The gaps in airport employee access control made headlines after an investigation revealed that aviation employees were trafficking weapons and ammunitions between Atlanta and New York. More than 170 guns were trafficked in such a manner. Furthermore, a recent inspector general report found that TSA failed to identify 73 aviation workers with possible links to terrorism. Lastly, at airports such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles International, and Oakland, many major drug-trafficking rings have been uncovered involving employees using their insider ability to access the airports. It is the responsibility of this committee to act to prevent similar stories from continuing to emerge. Specifically, H.R. 3102 requires TSA to consult with Federal and private sector partners to review existing employee screening protocols and work comprehensively to improve the effectiveness of controls at airports across the United States. Moreover, the bill improves standards of vetting for the credentials granted to individuals with access to secure areas of airports and takes a robust approach to bolstering the oversight of the access given to these employees. H.R. 3102 codifies a number of recommendations put forward by the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, which examined the issue of airport access controls earlier this year at our urging. This legislation reflects rigorous oversight, including a number of hearings, site visits, and briefings from Homeland Security, TSA, the FBI, and aviation stakeholders. Furthermore, I am very proud of the cooperation among our private sector stakeholders, Federal partners, and the labor community that has helped to bring this bill to the floor today. Throughout this legislation's development, we have worked tirelessly with the same end goal in mind: to enhance the security of our Nation's airports and mitigate threats to aviation workers and the traveling public. The insider threat to aviation is real, and it is critical that we evolve our security standards and best practices to stay abreast of changing threats to transportation. I wish to thank Ranking Member Rice and Ranking Member Thompson for their hard work and attention to this issue, as we have focused heavily on these problems in a bipartisan manner. I also wish the thank the chairman of the full committee, Mr. McCaul, for his support on the committee's oversight efforts and for seeing this bill through the committee. Together--together--we can fix these problems and assure the American public that their aviation system is secure and adaptive to changing threats. I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3102) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reform programs of the Transportation Security Administration, streamline transportation security regulations, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the issues addressed in H.R. 3102 are a pressing concern to the security of our Nation's airports. It is critical that we send this bill to the Senate today. Congress cannot stand idly by and grant tacit approval to lax security standards for employees when we have the authority and responsibility to spur action and keep the traveling public safe from harm. I want to thank Mr. Richmond for his bipartisan comments. That truly is the nature of what we have done today, is act in a bipartisan manner to attack a problem. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.