the presiding officer: the senator from minnesota. ms. klobuchar: mr. president, i ask that the quorum call be vitiated. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. klobuchar: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the immediate consideration of senate resolution 48 submitted earlier today. the presiding officer: the clerk will report. the clerk: senate resolution 48, congratulating the green bay packers on winning super bowl

45. ms. klobuchar: is there objection? the presiding officer: is there objection? without objection, the senate will proceed. ms. klobuchar: so there's no objection? the presiding officer: no objection. ms. klobuchar: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the the preamble be agreed to the motion to reconsider be laid on the table and any statements relating to the matter be placed in the record as if read. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. klobuchar: mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that on monday, february 14th, 2011, at 4:30 p.m. the senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations: calendar number 1, calendar number 5. that there be one hour for we date equally divided in the usual form, that upon the use or yielding back of time, that the

senate vote on the debate, number one and five in that order. that it -- that no further motions be in order for any of the nominations that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the record that the president be immediately notified of the senate's action and senate then resume legislative session. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. klobuchar: the vote on the graves nomination will be by voice vote. the vote on the davila nomination will be a roll call vote. mr. president, i ask unanimous consent that when the senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2:00 p.m. on monday, february 14th. that following the prayer and pledge, the journal of proceedings be approved to date, morning hour be deemed as expired. following any leader remarks,

the senate resume consideration of s. 223, the federal aviation administration authorization bill, and at 4:30 p.m. the senate proceed to executive session as provided for under the previous order. the presiding officer: without objection. ms. klobuchar: mr. president, on monday we will continue to work on amendments to the f.a.a. bill and we will also consider two executive nominations. under a previous order at 4:30 p.m., the senate will debate for one hour the nominations of james graves of mississippi to be a u.s. circuit judge for the fifth circuit and edward davila of california to be u.s. district judge for the northern district of california. at 5:30 p.m. on monday, senators should expect a voice vote on confirmation of the graves nomination. a roll call vote on confirmation of the davila nomination, and additional votes in relation to amendments to the f.a.a. bill. if there is no further business

to come before the senate, i ask that it adjourn under until monday, february 14th, valentine's day, under the previous order. the presiding officer: the senate stands adjourned until senate stands adjourned until

>> from northern michigan university, this is 35 minutes. [cheers and applause] >> hello. [applause] hello, market. thank you so much. [cheers and applause] thank you. [applause] thank you so much. [applause] please have a seat, have a seat. it is wonderful to be here in the upper peninsula with so many

upers. [cheers and applause] how many of you are green bay fans too? [cheers and applause] yeah. i've been seeing too many green bay fans lately. [laughter] it is great to be here. it is great to be in northern michigan university. we've got some wonderful guests here that i just want to mention. first of all, somebody who is as good a public servant, not just good at what he does, but good at heart and works tire leslie on the state, your senior senator, karl -- carl levin is here. [applause] his partner in the senate could not be here because she's leading a democratic caucus retreat, but she's been fighting for manufacturing, for broadband, for a lot of things we're talking about here today.

i want toage -- i want to acknowledge debbie for all the work here. [applause] i want to thank the mayor who has been showing me around town. thank you so much. [applause] the president of northern michigan university, dr. wes wong is here. [applause] and all of you are here. [laughter] and you guys are pretty special. absolutely. before i begin, i just want to say that we are following today's events in egypt very closely, and we'll have more to say as this plays out, but what is absolutely clear is that we are witnessing history unfold.

it's a moment of transformation that's taking place because the people of egypt are calling for change. they've turned out in extraordinary numbers representing all ages and all walks of life, but it's young people who have been at the forefront, a new generation, your generation who want their voices to be heard, and so going forward, we want those young people, and we want all egyptians to know america will continue to do everything that we can to support an orderly and genuine transition to democracy in egypt. now, as we watch what's taking place, we're also reminded that we live in an interconnected world. what happens across the globe has an impact on each and every one of us, and that's why i've

come to marquette today, not only because it's beautiful and the people are really nice -- [cheers and applause] which is true, but i've come here because in the 21st century, it's just not the cities where change is happening. it's also towns like this where jobs and businesses of tomorrow will take root and young and talented americans can lead. it's towns like this where our economic future will be won, and on the short term, the best thing we can do is speed up economic growth is to make sure family and businesses have more money to spend, and that's exactly -- i got a little applause there. [laughter] that's exactly why we pass those tax cuts in december. that's what it's doing because

democrats and republicans came together, american's paychecks will be a little bigger this year, and businesses can write off investments, companies will grow and add workers, but weave got more -- we've got more to do. our measure of success has to be whether every american who wants a job can find a job, whether this country is still the place where you can make it if you try, a world that's more connected and more competitive. other nations look at this moment as their moment, their turn to win the jobs and industries of our times. i see things differently. i see this as america's moment to win the future so that the 21st century is the american century just like the 20th century was. [cheers and applause]

[applause] yes, we can. [applause] but to do this, we're going to have to up our game, marquette. up our game. to attract jobs and newest industries, we have to out educate, outbill, and outhustle the rest of the world. [applause] that means investing in cutting edge research and technology like the new advanced battery factory that's taking root right here in the state of michigan. it means investing in the skills and training of our people just like it's taking place at this university. it means investing in transportation and commune cages networks that -- communication networks that moves good and information services as fast as possible, and to make room for these

investments, we have to cut whatever spending we can do without. we have a real issue with debt and deficits, and so we've got to live within our means, and that means that we've got to cut out things that aren't adding to growth and opportunity in order to invest in those things that are. that's why i propose that we freeze annual domestic spending for the next five years. that will reduce the deficit by more than 5 billion in the next decade. it will bring spending to the lowest share of our economy when eisenhower was president. that's a long time ago. even i wasn't born then. [laughter] government has to do what american families do every day, live within our means, but even as we do so, we can't sacrifice our future. i'll give you guys an analogy. if you're trying to cut back in your family, you might decide,

oh, we're not going out to dinner, maybe we'll skip the vacation, we're not going to remodel the kitchen, but you wouldn't stop saving for your child's college education. you wouldn't stop saving for your own retirement. if you're boiler was broke -- if your boiler was broken or your roof was leaking, you'd make those investments. well, same is true of our country. we've got to cut out the equivalence of eating out and vacations. i know there's restaurant owners here. go eat at their restaurants, but i'm just making a general point. [laughter] even as we cut out things we can't afford to do without, we have a responsibility to invest in areas that will have the biggest impact on our future, and those things are innovation, education, and infrastructure. that last area, infrastructure,

is why i've come here today. now, connecting a country of our size has never been easy. just imagine what americans experience when they stand out from 13 colonies to settle a continent. if you wanted to get from one coast to the other, it would take you months. it would cost you a small fortune. if you settled in the heartland, you were an island with no real market to sell your goods or buy what you needed. you might have to wait until the traders came by before you can stock up. we decided to build a railroad, one that used thousands of miles of steel and put an army of citizens and immigrants to work. it was an endeavor that required the support of our government. it didn't just happen on its

own. as general william t. sherman said, uncle sam is the only one who can grapple the subject. he was determined to see the railroad unit east and west. private companies joined the charge, racing each other to meet in the middle, and eventually a testify graph operator sent out the simple message to the cheers of the waiting nation. the testify graph just -- telegraph just said done, done. now, if he knew we were talking about it today, he would have maybe come up with something more inspiring. [laughter] but overnight, the transcontinental railroad laid the way for a nationwide economy, not a bunch of local economies, but a nationwide economy. suddenly, a cross country trip went from months todays.

the cost to move goods and mail plummeted. cowboys drove cattle to rail cars that took them back east. entrepreneurs could sell anything anywhere. after the railroad was completed, a newspaper proclaimed we are the youngest of peoples, but we are teaching the world to march forward, teaching the world to march forward. that's who we are. we are a nation that's always been built to compete, and that's why decades later, fdr set up the rural electrification administration to help bring power to vast swaths of america that were still in darkness. companies said that building lines to rural areas would be costly. big cities already had electricity, but it was too costly to go into the remote areas, too costly to go up into

the upper peninsula, so americans in these towns went without refrigeration or running water. if you wanted a look at the larger world, your town might run a movie after a small diesel engine that might not last through the whole film. once powerlines were laid down, electricity flowed to farms across the country transforming millions of lives. there's a well-known story of a texas family returning home the first night their farmhouse was hooked up. a woman thought it was on fire. her daughter said, no, momma, the lights are on. they about that. that wasn't that long ago. government was there to help make sure that everybody,

everybody, not just some, but everybody, not just those who folks could make an immediate profit off of, but everybody had access to electricity. years later, as our nation grew by leaps and bounds, we realized that a patchwork system of back roads and dirt paths couldn't handle the biggest economy in the world, so president eisenhower helped make it possible to build an interstate highway system, and that, too, trance formed the nation as much as the railways had. finally, we could ship goods and services to places where the railroads didn't reach. it meant we could live apart from where we worked. we could travel. we could see america. each of these achievements, none of them just happened. we chose to do them. we chose to do big things.

every american benefited, not just from new con conveniences or from tracks and pavement, but we benefited enormously from new economic growth, scores of businesses that opened near a train station or a new powerline or a new offramp, so this is a new century, and we can't expect tomorrow's economy to take root using yesterday's infrastructure. we got to think about what's the next thing? what's the next big thing? make sure that we're at the forefront just like we were in the last century. today, news companies are going to seek out the fastest most reliable ways to move people, goods, and information whether

they are in shanghai or chicago. if we want new jobs and businesses here in america, we've got to have the best transportation system, and the best communication networks in the world. it's like that movie, "field of dreams," if we build it, they will come. we got to build it. we got to build it. over the last two years, we've begun rebuilding for the 21st century with a project that means thousands of job in the hard hat construction industry, and i now proposed redoubling these efforts. we want to put more americans to work repairing bridges and roads. within 25 years, our goal is to add 80% of americans to have access to high speed rails, allows you to get to places half the time it takes by car. we want high speed wireless services in reach of virtually

every american. that last part, high-speed wireless is why i chose to come to northern michigan university today. [applause] let me give you come context. today, over 90% of homes in south korea subscribe to high-speed broadband. they just have better networks than we do. in america, the nation that created the internet, by the way, because of government investments, didn't just happen by itself magically, because of government r and d, we created the internet, and yet, only 65% of households here in america can say the same. when it comes to high speed internet, the lites are still

off -- lights are still off in one-third of our households. one out of every three households in america doesn't have that same access. for millions of americans, the railway hadn't showed up yet. for families and our businesses, high speed wireless service, that's the next train station, the next offramp, it's what will spark no innovation, new investment, new jobs. you know this here in northern michigan, that's why i showed up. in addition to being pretty and people being nice. [laughter] for -- [applause] for decades now, this university has given a new laptop to every incoming student. wifi stretches across campus, but if you lived off campus, you

were largely out of luck. broadband was too exnsive to afford, and if you lived a bit further out of town, you were completely out of work because broadband providers won't build networks where it's not profitable, just like they wouldn't build electrical lines where it wasn't profitable. this university tried something new. you partnered with various companies to build a high-speed, next generation wireless network, and you managed to install it with six people in only four days without raising tuition. good job. [cheers and applause] good job. [applause] [applause] by the way, if you give me the name of these six people -- [laughter] there's a bunch of stuff in

washington i'd like to see done in four days with six people. [laughter] so today, this is one of america's most connected universities, and enrollment is near the highest it's been in 30 years, and what's more, and this is what makes this special, you told nearby towns that if they allowed you to retrofit their towers with new equipment to expand your network, then their schools, their first responders, their city governments could use it too, and as a result, police officers can access crime data bases in their cars and firefighters can down load blue prints on the way to a burning building, and public works officials can save money by monitoring pumps and equipment remotely, and you've created new online learning opportunities for k-12 students as far as 30 miles away. some of whom --

[applause] some of whom can't always make it to school in a place that averages 200 inches of snow a year. [laughter] now, some of these students doesn't appreciate the end of school days. i know our daughters get really excited about school days. of course, in washington things shut down when there's an inch of snow. [laughter] but, this technology is giving them more opportunities. it's good for their education. it's good for our economy. in fact, i just came from a demonstration of online learning in action. we were with professor lubick, and he had plugged in nagoni high school and powell township's school in big banks. [cheers and applause] now, i felt like the guy in star

trek. i was being beamed around. [laughter] it was remarkable to see the possibilities for these young people who are able to, let's say do a chemistry experiment, and they can compare results with kids in boston or if there's some learning tool or material that they don't have immediately accessible in their school, they can connect here to the university and they're able to tap into it. it's opening up an entire world to them. one of the young people i was talking to, he talked about foreign policy, and what we were seeing in places like egypt. he said, you know, what's amazing especially for us is that now we have a window to the entire world, and we can start understanding other cultures and other places in ways that we could never do without this technology.

for local businesses, broadband access is helping them grow and prosper and compete in a global economy. in fact, marquette is rated one the top-5 east cities in michigan for entrepreneurship. [applause] that's right. [applause] so, here's a great example. the jetson's are here. where are they? there they are, right there. this is a third generation family-owned market institution. they've occupied the same downtown store for more than a century, but with the help of broadband, they were recently listed as one of america's 5,000 fastest growing companies. now, how did they pull that off?

[applause] obviously -- [applause] obviously, they got great products, great service, but what's also true is online sales now make up more than two-thirds of their annual revenue. think about that. you got a downtown department store, and now two-thirds of its sales are online. it can process more than a thousand orders a day, and its work force has more than doubled. you got a local business with a global footprint because of technology. now, if you can do this in snowy up -- [laughter] we can do it all across america. in fact, many places already are. in wagner, south dakota, patients can receive high quality life saving medical care from a specialist who can listen

to their breathing 100 miles away. in tin sleep, wyoming. i love the name of that town, it's a town in wyoming of 300 people. a fiberoptic company employed several hundred teachers who teach english to students in asia over the internet 24 hours a day. you've all heard about outsourcing, well, this is insourcing where overseas work is done right here in the united states of america. [applause] so we want to multiply these stories. we want to multiply your story all over the country. we want to invest in the next generation of high-speed wireless coverage for 98% of americans. this isn't just about faster

internet or finding friends on facebook, but it's about connecting every corner of america into the digital age. it's about a rural community in iowa or alabama where they can monitor weather and trade across the globe. it's about an entrepreneur who wants to sell her idea to the big city. it's about how you don't have to leave your hometown for opportunity because opportunity is right there at his or her fingertips. [applause] so, to make this happen, we're going to invest in research and development of emerging technologies and applications. we're going to accelerate breakthroughs in health and education on transportation and deploy a new nationwide interoperateble wireless network for first responders making sure they got the funding and frequencies they were promised

and that they need to keep us safe. [applause] that's important. by selling private companies the rights to these air ways. we want to encourage private investment and we're actually going to bring in revenues that lower our deficits. access to high speed internet by itself won't make a business more successful or a student smarter or a citizen more informed. that takes hard work. it takes those late nights. it takes hustle. it takes that american drive to be the best. that's what the most important ingredient for our success, but we've always believed that we have a responsibility to guarantee all our people every tool necessary for them to meet their full potential, so if they are willing to work hard, they can succeed, and in a 21st century economy that has never

been more important. every american deserves access to the world's information. every american deserves access to the global economy. we have promised this for 15 years. it's time we delivered on that promise. [applause] it's time we delivered on that promise. [applause] connecting our people, competing with the rest of the world, living within our means without sacrificing what's required to win the future. we can do all this because we've done it before. in 1960 at the height of his presidential campaign, jfk came to michigan, and it was a moment similar to this one. other nations were doing their best to try to take our place at the top, and here in michigan,

he made it clear if we wanted to keep from being knocked out of our perch, there was only one goal for the united states. it can be summed up in one word. first. first. i do not mean first, but, he said i don't mean first win. i don't mean first if. i mean first, period. the real question now, he continued, the real question he continued is whether we're up to the task, whether each and every one of us is willing to face the facts to bear the burdens, provide the risks, and to meet our dangers. that was 50 years ago. things vice haven't changed in terms of what's requires to succeed. we were up to the task then.

i believe we're up to the task today. in a climate again west ward or skyward, with each rail and road we laid in every community, we connected with science and our imagination, and we forged in our faith that we can do anything. we do big things. that's who we are, and that's who we are going to have to be again, a young nation that teaches to move forward. that's what you're doing here in u. p. and northern michigan university. that's what we're all going to do in the years to come. thank you. thank you. god bless the united states of america. [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] ♪ [applause] ♪

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♪ [cheers and applause] >> president obama speaking in northern michigan university about 1:30 eastern this afternoon. about two hours later, president hosni mubarak of egypt spoke on egyptian state television telling the nation he didn't plan to resign, but delegating powers to his vice president. he spoke for just under 20 minutes. this is curtesy of the al-jazeera network. >> translator: my fellow men and women, i address you today, the youth of egypt and nationwide, i address you all

with a speech from the heart, a speesh from father to -- a speech from his father to his children, his sons and daughters. i tell you, i take pride in you, the symbol of a new generation of egypt calling for a change for the better and hearing to the same, dreaming of a bright future and shaping such future. i say to you before anything that all those who fell and were injured, their blood will not go down the drain, and i confirm that i will not relent to penalize all those responsible fiercely and strictly, an i will hold accountable those who committed crimes against the rights of our youth to the smallest severe sentences according to the law, and i address the families of those innocent victims that i felt the

pain, the same pain you felt. may heart went out and i felt the pain as you did. i tell you that my speedometer and your message and demands are a commitment that cannot be waived. i am totally determined and adamant to fulfill all the promises genuinely, honestly, and seriously. i'm totally keen on implementing all these promises with no return backwards. this commitment stems from my firm convictions of this genuineness and through your intentions and movement and that your demand is legitimate. its stakes are likely in any

political regime in any state, however, it is important to admit to mistakes and rectify the mistakes early and penalize those responsible. i tell you, in my capacity as president of the state, i cannot find any embarrassment at all in listening to the youth of my home lander and respond -- homeland, and responding to them, however, all embarrassment comes from the wrong doing -- the embarrassment and wrong doings come from and i will not accept to be dictated from orders outside no matter what the source is. my fellow countrymen, the youth of egypt, my fellow citizens, i announce in very plain unequivocal words that i will

not run the coming presidential election satisfied with what i have offered to the nations for over 60 years and in the time of war and peace. i announce that i will adhere to this position, and i also announce that i will similarly remain adamant to continue to shoulder my responsibility for protecting the constitution, safeguarding the people until the power is handed over to be elected by the people in september coming in the fair and free elections where all the guarantees for transparency and integrity will be secured. this is the oath i've taken before god and before the nation, and i will continue to keep that oath until we, with the the people are rest

assured. i laid out a vision, a clear one, to exit the current crisis and realize the demands voiced by the youth and citizens in compliance with the constitutional legitimacy without underminding the constitution and in a manner that ensures the state of our society and the allegations. at the same time, laying down a framework to be agreed upon for the peaceful transitions so that there's a responsible dialogue among all the forces of society with transparency. i lay down this vision committed to my responsibilities to take the country from these harsh moments, and i will continue to observe the embarrassment policemennation step by step and hour by hour. looking forward to the support

and the backing of every person keen on people's interests in order to translate them into complete reality within broad consensus in the nation. we ensure the proper embarrassment -- we have a strong dialogue income passing the -- encompassing the youth of people and the political forces, and this dialogue yielded in preliminary agreements in stances and views. therefore, we can lay our foot on dry path to exit the crisis and we should continue marching into this path to move from the guidelines of the agreement speech into a clear road back and a specific timetable.

this will go day after day, day by day, and the path of peaceful transition of power from today of september next, this national dialogue has converged on the formation of the constitutional comities to amend the amendments requested. also, i say to ensure the precise implementation i made before the people, i am keen on that the formation of these two committees to be compromised of independent and transparent jurists, legal professionals,

and other professionals. in addition to the victims that have fallen in the unfortunate tragic events which left deep pain in our hearts, and choked the conscious of the people, i handed down, my order to speed up the investigations in the last week's events and to prepare outcomes of the chief prosecutor to take the chief necessary legal actions. yesterday, i have received reports on the constitutional amendments with authority as proposed by the committee i had formed from the jurist and legal experts to examine the constitutional amendments and legitimate ones. i, in response to the report, laid out by the committee and

their accommodations and by the power invested to the president of the state in article 189 of the constitution, i, today, proposed the amendments of six constitutional articles. article 6, 76, 77, 88, 93, and 189 in addition to the annulment of article 179 of the constitution confirming that i am deferred to propose at a later stage to amend the articles as further accommodations of the constitutional committee as required. these amendments, the top priority amendments, aimed at streamlines and simplifying requirements of candidacy to this presidency, and the term of

office to ensure aloll cation of crowds, reenforces supervision of elections to sure it is fair and runs. it gives just diction of judiciary to rule on the validity of the members of the parliament and the proposal made to scrap article 179 of the constitution aimed at creating balance and fixing the nation from the threat from terrorists and respecting the rights and obligations of citizens to clear the way for scrapping the emergency law once stability and security are restored and suitable circumstances are available to leave the emergency

laws. my fellow countrymen, priority now is to restore confidence among all egyptians, confidence and trust in our economy and international reputation, confidence in that, that change and transformation we started can never be reversed. egypt is braving through hard times where we cannot have these circumstances continue. our economy has suffered losses and damages day by day. it will end up in a situation for those calling for reform and change be the first victims. the current moment is not relating to my personality, not to hosni mubarak. it is now relating to egypt.

the current situation, the current generation, all egyptians are lying in the same trench, and we should continue engaging in the national dialogue we had started, in a friendly atmosphere without any athemty and distancing from any differences in order to brave through the current crisis and to restore confidence in our economy. stability and peace to our citizens and to restore the normal way of life to the egyptian streets. i have been a youth just like you when i learn the ethics, loyalty to the homeland, and sacrifice. i have exhausted my life with protecting the homeland and its sovereignty. i went to war.

i won victory. i lived the days of occupation, and i also lived through the days of victory and liberation. it was the happiest day of my life when i lifted the flag of egypt. i have paid debts on many occasions. i never breathed under foreign pressure or dictator's orders. i [inaudible] development for generations of egypt. i never had false power. i am determined the people are aware of who president mubarak is, and i feel pain in my heart for what they hear from some of my countrymen.

in any event, i am fully aware of the cross roads we are at, and based on my firm conviction that egypt is going through a defining moment in its history where we are all required to rise above all differences and to put the interest of the nation above all to put the homelands above all. i have been that is required to delegate the power of authorities of the president to the vice president as to the constitution. i am fully aware that egypt will exit this and the people cannot be didn'ted. egypt will be back on its feet by the genuineness and through its people.

we will not allow others to gloat over us. we will prove, we the e compingses, our -- we, the egyptians, can meet the demands of people by their dialect. we will prove we are not followers of dictators of others. we shape our own decisions according to the demands of the people. we will do all this by the spirit and resolve of the egyptians. the unity of this people and our add herein to the pride and dignity of egypt and its unique eternal identity. it is the foundation of our prison and the sentence of our civilization over 7,000 years. this spirit will live on so long as egypt and its people -- this spirit will live on so long as

people and this spirit will live within us, the educated, the youth, the children, muslims, and christians. it will live in the minds and conscious of us and those who are yet to be born. i say again, i have lived for this nation, safeguarded my responsibility and trust. egypt will live on above all persons and above all. egypt will remain until i hand over the trust and the banner. it is a means and end. it is a responsibility and a duty, the gipping of my -- beginning of my life and end of it. it is the homeland of burden and death. it will remain a dear beloved

homeland. i will not separate from the soil until i am buried underneath. you will remain honest, proud people standing with your heads held high in dignity and pride. may god save egypt, a peaceful country, and may god safeguard its people and guide them to the rightful path and make peace the avenue of all. >> hosni mubarak from earlier today and president obama according to the "wall street journal" watched that speech from the conference room of air force i while returning from northern michigan. meanwhile, shortly after president mubarak spoke, his vice president spoke calling on the protesters to go home. he spoke for about five minutes. >> exit the defining moment.

the president has given priority to the supreme interests above all considerations. after being dell gaited by the -- delegated by the president to shoulder the responsibility, to safeguard the stability and security of egypt, to safeguard acquisitions, assets, and to steer away and to restore piece and security -- peace and security to the egyptian public and restore the normalcy of life, i take an oath to contribute to achieving this goal, and i have no doubt that the egyptian people are capable of safeguarding their own interests. we have opened the door for dialogue. we have reached and arrived at agreements and the road map has been laid down to much realized

the maturity of demands as time is in hands. the doors are still open for further dialogue, and within this context, i raise the following. i am committed to carrying out whatever is necessary to ensure the peaceful transition of power in accordance with the stipulations of the constitution. aproclaim my adherence to implementing all the procedures i had promised in relation to the national dialogue and the agreements to be reached at the later stage, to safeguard the revolution of the views and its gains the world is restoring confidence among us and to respect the constitution under law. .

. and promoting intimidation. let's join hands and let's move forward in a path that will guarantee the realization of the demand towards a peaceful life where the level of the homeland

is the priority for which we can sacrifice every day. i tell those of egypt to go back home, go back to work. the country needs your hair and. let's join hands to build and develop creativity. do not listen to the satellite television stations whose main purpose is to fuel sedition and drive away the people and torment the image of people. only listen to your conscience, your common sense awareness of what is hovering around us. we have started work release and on whom god and our state institutions namely the army

forces. they defended the country and its constitutional legitimacy and preserve its security of the people. the club this ticking. let's march forward by the grace of god and its ability to exit hardships and surmount. we will work in the spirit of a team. i have taken the oath to work for this homeland with all the power i have to maintain the security of the people in the name of our most merciful you

work and god will see your deeds and made peace be upon you all. we are hearing from the white house the president has just concluded a meeting with his national security team on egypt and it likely would give a written statement sometime this evening. the president's treasury secretary

the administrator of the transportation security administration testified today that he would like to see a new airport full body screening machines use a risc based screening method. he also talked about the obama administration's recent decision to allow limited collective bargaining for its transportation security officers. he testified before the house homeland security subcommittee.

alabama congressman right to become mike rogers shares the subcommittee. the hearing is one hour and 40 minutes. >> this meeting of the homeland security committee -- subcommittee on transportation security will come to order. the subcommittee is meeting today. your testimony from administrator transportation security administration mr. john pistole on his agency's efforts to stop terrorists from carrying out against our nation's transportation systems. i'd like to welcome everybody to this first subcommittee meeting of the 100th of congress and i want to thank mr. pistole for joining us. i know is going to be a very informative effort. please delete the pleased to be joined by sheila jackson lee texas. the ranking member and i have had a strong working relationship and i look forward to continuing in this congress to make the tsa more effective in concert with her. the topic of the ceiling is terrorism and transportation security. i'd like to welcome our weaknesses. tsa administrator john pistole and thank him for being here

today. we look for which your testimony and appreciate your time. let me first state and first and foremost that tsa is a counterterrorism agency, and it must maintain that mission. as its primary focus. if there are programs or offices within the tsa that do not directly support the primary mission or could operate more efficiently, this subcommittee will look closely to see where the taxpayer dollars could be better spent at tsa to achieve a greater level of security. it's also important to stay at the outset that regardless of what other committees in the house may want you to believe, this subcommittee is the subcommittee with primary jurisdiction over all of tsa. in this role, we plan to exercise oversight of the agency and the security of all transportation modes including aviation, cargo, mass transit, trucking and pipelines. where tsa is succeeding we should applaud them, where they are struggling to address vulnerabilities or to work with stakeholders we should help them

find new solutions. we can all make -- we can all agree the safe and secure flow of passengers and commerce for all modes of transportation as critical to the nation's economy. tsa is obviously a vital element to ensure this happens within a framework that includes many stakeholders. in many ways post-9/11 security has been a series of reactive tactics and strategies by the tsa. existing practices would benefit from a proactive intelligence based decision making process. mr. pistole, we have discussed your interest in this area and i look forward to strengthening these programs in tsa. also at times tsa's efforts are seem to be counterproductive to the industry or lack coordination with the industry. i look forward to examining ways to bring best practices of the industry and tsa together for better security and safe transit. i want to emphasize that this committee would examine how tsa spins the tax dollars, suffice it to say as with any large

governor agency there is waste at tsa. over the last few months, they're have been a series of high-profile media stories on this issue. i've met with the gao and the department of homeland security to discuss tsa acquisitions and spending practices and plan to hold hearings on this issue in the near future. i believe we should not automatically separate national security from fiscal security. i believe tsa and the taxpayers could benefit from the procurement acquisition reform coming and i plan to pursue them. finally, it seems there's not a day that goes by that tsa isn't in the news making headlines. believe me in this business we are and that can be both a good and bad thing. just last friday it was announced that tsa would allow employees to vote on collective bargaining framework that could lead to the unionization of tsa employees to review and i spoke about this friday before the decision was made public and i continue to appreciate your willingness to keep us informed before we read these things in the newspapers. with regard to collective

bargaining rights, the tsa employees i express my concern about it to you before and will do so again today. because of the potential impact of this decision, i'm going to allow a lot of extra time for you to fully exploit your decision making on collective bargaining framework and for members to ask questions about it. in sum, we must be vigilant against terrorists focused on attacking us and specifically attacks aimed at our transportation systems. i've met with administrator pistole on multiple occasions since becoming chair. i am pleased with the fact he has significant law enforcement and counter terrorism experience. i believe he's the right person for the difficult job and i look forward to working with him on transportation security. mr. pistole, into for your service to the nation and throughout your career and think you for taking the time of your busy schedule to be with us today. i now want to recognize the ranking member of the subcommittee, the leedy from texas, ms. jackson lee for five minutes for an opening statement. >> good morning, mr. chairman. thank you so very much. i agree, we want to thank

administrator pistole for his years of service. i'm delighted to be joined this morning by the ranking member of the full committee, mr. thompson of mississippi, and to acknowledge our new members, mr. davis of illinois, spiers of california and mr. richmond of louisiana. we are delighted to have the opportunity to serve the american people, and on this particularly important committee. mr. chairman, let me first congratulate you on your chairmanship of the transportation security subcommittee, and let me say that i look forward to working with you as we have come before during this congress, and as we work together to ensure that the transportation security administration has the tools and resources it needs to secure all modes of transportation including aviation, mass transit, passenger freight rail, highways and pipelines. additionally, to make note of the fact that i think every american, mr. chairman, has used the mode of transportation that we have a responsibility over at

some point in their life. it is a large and looming challenge to ensure that transportation mode of this nation, and i think you for the opportunity to work with you. let me also welcome as i indicated in the members on both sides of the aisle, and i look forward to working with all of them. the scope of responsibility is broad and its challenge of securing transportation against terrorist attacks is critical to the nation overall homeland security efforts. over the last four years during my chairmanship of the subcommittee we evaluated cargo security on the passenger planes, passenger and baggage screening technology and processing, security of repair stations, general aviation security, the registered travel program and the administration of tsa program for surface transportation security. might i add that we introduced along with chairman thompson a major transportation security legislative initiative, h.r.

2200 of the last congress, focused on the growing professional development of our members of the tsa team, and a number of other very important security reforms. i hope, mr. chairman, we will have an opportunity to look at that again and work together with you. mr. chairman, i know from our earlier discussions with you we share the same commitment to securing our nation's transportation system. to administrator pistole, i welcome you begin to the subcommittee, and i look forward to your testimony. since you were confirmed nearly eight months ago, you have been presented with a myriad of challenges from explosive ships from yemen to enhanced pat-down screenings at thanksgiving, and through it all, you've shown leadership and determination and trying to get it right and addressing threats and securing all transportation modes. i specifically remember in beijing with you during the transportation enhancement process during thanksgiving and christmas and actually going out to my year port and spending three days during the

thanksgiving holiday watching professional tsa officers begin their work under very difficult circumstances. we have commented on notice and commented on the sensitivity of our particular traveling public, and i hope we can work through those issues. recently you have made two critical decisions i must commend you for. i agree to support your decision not to expand screening partnership program for airports to opt out of using the tsa screening in order to contract private screening firms. why should we go back? we went forward after 9/11. there is no reason seemingly to retrace the steps again. but we must also ensure that we improve all of the procedures and processes of the tsa. as we look to mitigate a current threats of the fusion as i said let us not forget passed on that fateful day september 11th, 2001, 4 of the passenger screening checkpoints transmitted by the 19 hijackers

were operated by three different security firms contacted by air carriers at the three airports where the terrorists departed. boston logan, north liberty and washington bill. finding serious vulnerabilities with this process, congress decided to federalize the work force, and the tea is a work force as subsequently played a critical role as one of the most important security layers for securing commercial aviation. with consistent intelligence based administration of the tsa screening programs, we have hardened aviation significantly against terrorist attacks, and although tsa has managed a small group of airports and putting san francisco in the district of our distinguished colleague from california, ms. spiers, we must be careful not to institute a system of screening companies working at different airports across the nation, and i appreciate your looking at this carefully. i also commend your decision to extend collective bargaining rights for transportation office is to read just as it is with other security professionals at

customs and border protection and federal protection service, tsa will have been put on workplace and performance appraisals. the chairman of last congress mr. thompson, the ranking member now work very hard on this issue. just like with those two agencies and countless other law enforcement agencies across this nation, this collective bargaining will in no way negatively impact security but in fact improve the murder of the hard-working tsl. i know the chairman and i may disagree on some of these issues but i also know we have a great deal in common. we have already discussed the moscow airport, and i look forward to those hearings, particularly as we saw the last congress the attacks there's certainly a lot for us to deal with. the chairman and i have also discussed the importance of continuing where we left off in the last congress and focusing on securing mass transit and other service modes of transportation. again, history in russia, madrid and spain have shown the transportation is a terrorist target and we need to be

prepared. mr. chairman, thank you again for your commitment for working with the side deals we can approach these issues and a comprehensive manner. this is going to be a good year and i yield back. >> i agree. we are going to have a great partnership and do some work. the chair recognizes the beginning of the full committee for mississippi mr. thompson for a statement. >> thank you. chairman rogers for holding this important hearing. i also congratulate you on the chairmanship and i look forward to joining hew and ranking member jackson lee in evaluating critical transportation security issues during the 100 of congress. additionally, i would like to welcome mr. pistole to the first hearing in congress. we've talked on a number of occasions. i absolutely join my colleagues in thanking you for the outreach that you've done since you've been administrator on keeping us

informed. please, keep it up. also, let me say that your decision to grant collective bargaining rights to the transportation security offices and tsa is the right thing. as you know ranking member jackson lee have been championing collective bargaining rights for several years. as proven by the performance of the federal security offices, collective bargaining does not diminish our security. in fact, i have written you in the continue to believe collective bargaining can improve work force morrell and productivity, and this will positively impact the tsa in fulfilling its mission to secure our transportation system. too often we've been inundated with tsl concerning poor workplace conditions,

inconsistent performance appraisal process these and ineffective training programs and practices. further, my top concern continues to be affording tsos the same benefits and personal standards as other employees in the pay system. and i look forward to continuing to work with you to implement this new collective bargaining framework so that all of the key issues are addressed. mr. chairman, the last congress in our oversight activities of the tsa program, we held several hearings addressing critical transportation security issues. i've taken particular interest in the deployment of the advanced imaging technology machines that at the nation's airports and have urged tsa to implement privacy and efficiency cards to accompany the use of this technology.

i know you've heard these concerns, and i look forward to reviewing the new pilot program for the automated targeting recognition software currently being tested. we should reduce privacy concerns raised about the intrusive nature of the ait imaging. once the testing of the software to accompany the ait machine is complete i will call on the department to conduct an updated civil liberties impact assessment on the new system. and as i have said numerous times, millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent on this technology, and we need to be sure that it is deployed in a risk-based manner and that tsa personnel or sufficiently trained to harness this technology. we have also had many conversations about the tsa meet to work collaboratively with other agencies and stakeholders. i hope you continue to

strengthen the agency relationships with stakeholders particularly in the area of cargo security and cargo screening technology. last just as importantly, i would like to stress the importance of adequately addressing threats within transportation community. it is imperative that the tsa share with congress the shortcomings and resources available to address the threats across the mass transportation modes. i look forward to learning more about the specific steps tsa has taken to focus resources towards mass transportation modes of transportation at today's hearing. with that, mr. chairman, i yield back the balance of my time. >> thank you, mr. thompson. other members of the committee ratifies their opening statements may be submitted for the record. we are very pleased to have the distinguished guest with us today on this important topic. we will remind you, mr. pistole,

your entire statement will be submitted for the record, and you are now recognized for five minutes to summarize it. >> thank you very much, a german rogers and ranking member thompson good to see you, and the members of the subcommittee, welcome to the subcommittee. pleased to be here today to discuss with you the transportation security administration, or operations, our mission and the terrorism threat that our country faces, and of course the men and women of tsa confront every day. tsa of course was created in november of 2001 with a compelling mandate to prevent terrorist attacks like 9/11 from happening again. and so began the not yet ten year history of the organization of dedicated men and women come and secretary napolitano and leiter testified yesterday we face in enemy that constantly evolves its tactics and techniques, and as we have seen, the threat is real. tsa plays a critical role in protecting the nation's

transportation network as part of the u.s. law enforcement and intelligence community, counterterrorism efforts. it is our responsibility to stay ahead of a threat to the risk-based intelligence security measures. with our partners here and abroad we use a lot of the leader of interconnected system to give the best opportunity of detecting in deterring threats as we saw with the cargo plot. and so the best tools we employ to combat terrorists are accurate, timely intelligence and partnerships. one of my first initiatives at tsa was to expand the clearance to a greater number of employees in the field. this ensures our expos of experts are supervisory transportation security officers, federal air marshals come and even detection officers have the information they need to better confront those who would do less harm to read the other tools are partnerships with other national security agencies and foreign counterparts, state and local law in force the agencies, the business community, especially

airlines and cargo carriers, and of course, the american people. we have seen going back to christmas day, to doesn't mind and the air cargo plot mentioned, that concealment and design of explosives are being done in ways that challenge not only our social norms, but detection capabilities. we've expanded the use of explosive trade detection, and hence pat-down procedures and will continue to deploy advanced imaging technology. we are always seeking the proper balance between security and privacy. in that regard, i am pleased to report we have begun the testing of the automatic recognition, atr software for the ati machines currently being tested in las vegas, atlantic and the washington national airports. the software could eventually eliminate the need for tsa to review passenger a message as the generic icon would highlight the areas required just on screening. thereby addressing the privacy issues that have been raised. with the best technology in the engagement of the workforce is

vital, and so last week announced by the decision as to the officers and tsos will have the right to vote for or against union representation in a fair and transparent process consistent with the order. i also lead of specific terms for the limited, a clearly defined framework consistent with the tsa security mission should tsos elected union. this framework which is unique in the u.s. government preserves the capability and flexibility to respond to the evolving threats. let me state clearly the tsa priority is the safety and security of the travelling public. all 628 million of them in 2009, and again in 2010. as administrator i am committed to be evolving the tsa into a more agile high-performance organization that can meet the security threats of today and in the future. as i mentioned earlier, the ability to push out intelligence information to our front line workforce and quickly change the procedures based on threats and

intelligence is paramount to the effective security. all factors along with cost per my decision to not expand the privatized screening program, beyond the current airports have sent clear and compelling reasons. going forward, i believe we and tsa must use more of a risk-based approach to the checkpoint of the future, using common sense, and formed by intelligence rather than a one-size-fits-all approach for passenger screening. with that, i look forward to working with the subcommittee as we develop and implement the security solutions to help mitigate a dynamic and changing a flat landscape. thank you, mr. chairman. >> thank you mr. pistole. we know you're very busy and we appreciate you making yourself available today. it to work with us on this topic. i'd like to recognize myself now for five minutes for questions. recently i had a meeting with the railroad industry, and they

expressed a couple of concerns that they would like help with. one was the would like more specific information, more concrete and specific information on the current threats that tsa is awe of, and to work with them to deal with those threats. the other is the would like to have more of a mutual relationship to establish goals that both you and the industry feel would most effectively deal with the threat. so can you tell me what, if anything, you have been working on to address those two areas? the communication of the threat information as well as setting the goals with the rail industry. >> thank you, mr. chairman. yes, since i started last july, i've been looking at not only pushing the intelligence out to the tsa work force, but those partners who in the industry are ultimately responsible for implementing the safeguards that need to be in effect, i have met

with both executives and security officers from the rail and passenger rail various and there were several developments but i'm committed to working in the partnership to provide the latest intelligence of course it is usually strategic intelligence. there may be a threat to for example the amtrak or the northeast corridor or there may be something about terrorists such as madrid or london or moscow or mumbai without any tactical intelligence. we are pushing intelligence in the classified setting and unclassified as appropriate on both strategic and tactical one very positive development on the second point about the working towards mutual goals was a theory of human hazards carried on the free trial through the downtown areas of the major metropolitan areas in court in washington, d.c. really because of the partnership and the

initiative of the freight industry have all these toxic hazards there's been 90% reduction over the last two years in the us ret to some of these urban areas. the was done based on the initiative of the industry with assistance from us with the grants and things like that, so it is a partnership and that is why i am committed to do it. >> so there's not limit on your ability to communicate the threat with them? >> it is just a question of it actually comes from other agencies and the u.s. intelligence community. we get information from them in the form of what is the symbol and they want to protect the method, so they may not say this is an interested from the skin indication from this person up they may say we have intelligence command for a civil not related to freight or real, but on december 23rd we received credible intelligence that al qaeda and the arabian peninsula was considering using p.e.t.,

the same as the christmas day bomber and against the saudi official and in the cargo plot that same type of explosive in half services. so they wrap it around the inner liner of the fairness. we push the information out literally the same day that we receive it to the u.s. carriers, and so it is that type of actual intelligence that we are always trying to do. so the security officers were doing enhanced screening of thermoses from that day and that continues. >> shifting gears a little bit, sheila jackson lee a little earlier mentioned the airports, the using private contractors and how you had made the decision to seize that effort. tell me about your thought process of making that decision. >> conceptually i see that the tsa should be a federal counterterrorism agency, and we are best able to train, deploy and execute on the mission as a federal work force. that being said, with the 16

privatized airports i'm always open to new innovative ideas and opportunities where we could improve in terms of our efficiencies and how we go about doing things for better security and a business efficiency standpoint, and so some of the reporting was killed the program. it's no longer open. that's not true, but i do want to see clear and compelling information or evidence the would benefit -- there's got to be a reason for making a change, and if we go beyond the 16 in any large measure it would make it more challenging in terms of how we do the immediate flexibility and agility i want as far as federal less work force. >> why would inhibit the flux of the? >> so, for a simple, airports that were mentioned comes in francisco, kansas city, seven in montana and key west and roswell and other places, i don't have the flexibility to move the

individual to another airport because they are not employed by tsa. they are private contractors. so, for civil a disaster like katrina and richmond is familiar with, i could not take those for the capacity to deal with that or if there's specific intelligence about a particular airport i'm limited, i can't move those individuals. and if we have a change in how we go about of a protocol, such as with the enhanced pat-down, it's just a more cumbersome process frankly. ..

we have seen the franchise of terrorism, meaning single individual can be actors that show up at airports anywhere around the world. but let me ask a question you might incorporate because it has to do with the patdown procedures and the ait machines and working with flight crews and pilots. and in fact, section 1614 of the 9/11 implementation called for assistance to expedite the pilot through security check point. i think you know yourself it is any point of contention. where are you in evaluating a process in the system include a biometric component as was piloted by tsa.

we focus on pilots and crew, including flight attendants as the legislation direct did. i know it was mentioned there is a trusted traveler program and many people are inquiring. this is a very full question. the other part of it is i think keeping the dialogue. i mentioned to you that we heard about changes, the enhanced process on a television -- local television and it was concerned about that. can you help us as to why that we are by some of us that these were not aware of that, certainly not the procedures, but at least the fact changes were coming. >> thank you, ranking member jackson-lee. to your first point, that's absolutely why we have the layers of security and why we do random and predict both screenings at different airports in different ways. we protect officers in a

different variety of options. as part of the overall opinion in terms of our characters and strategy. and you're absolutely right. there is no individuals who may be inspired by our blocky using information we know about passengers about the name, date of birth and gender do we know whether or not they are in a watch list. but then as far as they type a trusted traveler program, if individuals are willing to give us more information about unsolved, from a history check and other checks, that we might

be able to afford them a different type of security screening. and so, i have several working groups on this, looking at a number of different options. and that is the reason why i decided in november to change the screening of pilots because the approach that they are in charge of the aircraft, frankly i was not concerned if they had a prohibited item on the person. when the mad crashed out of the 1999 when i was coming off of jeff k. and it crashed off the coast of rhode island, where they intentionally put the light down, killing 32 people. it's not the physical screening. is that the person said. we are working with the airline and the pilots association to expand the three projects we have called crew paths. whether it's croup raptors not agnostic, but allow them to use an identity way pasted it into their flight as opposed to

physical screening. we talked to flight attendants also and we are still in discussion about that and what that might mean. i'm interested in expanding that not only to trusted travelers, but how we define those. i'd like to discuss that further with the subcommittee has more time is available. peanut one more quick question. you have a meeting with stakeholders on this 100% screening mandate. my question quickly this way are you doing that -- why we need that input, for more importantly, what happens to the aviation purity of history committee that we asked about last year to establish a security advisory committee on the air cargo to look at some of these issues. >> the working group has been reinstated as of last month. the secretary decided that with commissioner alverson, myself as a cochair and at the smith family outreach office facilitating that. the thank you for that suggestion and follow a period

the average for cargo basically want to make sure we don't get into industry and they are not capable of implementing without burdensome costs of them them or inability to comply. so that is why we are working closely with ups and fedex post october 29. working very closely to figures would make sense, here's what we can do collaboratively rather than masters dictating to them. >> got the questions, mr. chairman, but i will yield out. >> will have another series of these. >> mr. wall, you're recognized for five minutes. the mac thank you, mr. chairman, administer pistole, thank you for being here. and mr. chairman, i commend you for so quickly hosting an important hearing like this. administrator pistole, leopard referred to a couple broad

issues you raised in your opening statement. you emphasize a few times a risk based approach to passenger screening. this is obviously an issue that the general public often breeds confusion. explain and basic or complicated terms what goes into at risk based approach for passenger screening. >> right now we are not they are. so we do use a one size fits all approach, which i don't think it's either efficient or beneficial for the traveling public for security. what i'd like to do is spend more time with those that we assess based on information available to us and maybe a higher risk, clearly those in washington and things like that. but we have other information from intelligence or information volunteered to us by the passenger or the weekly data protection officer, noticing something suspicious on a

person. again, i'll have more information as this year goes on, but i'm committed to doing something this year that would demonstrate the different paradigm for how we go about doing passenger screening, who we screen and how we screen. >> is sound like much of that will be based on intelligence gathering. >> part of that will be -- again, there's obviously privacy issues that we want to be very attuned to appear but as a frequent traveler for example is willing to voluntarily provide information like they do for other trusted traveler programs like global entry coming back into the u.s., expedited processes through custom, then yes i am interested in doing that and making sure that we can verify the identity of the person and make a risk-based judgment, again without any risk elimination. we never eliminate risk unless people stop flying.

so we don't lemonades risk, but we try to mitigate risk informed fashion and that's what we're committed to doing. >> leapfrogging to another issue, tse created the screening partnership program aired ports can apply to check what screening done by private contract or is currently out -- being done at 16 airport. in your estimation, why was this partnership begun to begin with? >> as part of the enabling security act, it was required to five-year fours to a two-year project to see whether that were. obviously some members felt strongly that that should be an option. so that five wisdom in november of 02 and november of 04. other airports supplied at the 16th, but there just haven't been -- there's only been two applications since i started in the job last year.

one came in last week after he announced my decision. so it doesn't seem to be that much interest in the program. so that's where it is right now. >> was the pilot program deemed successful? >> yes. >> okay and that the 16 airports where it is currently being cracked as, is it fair to say that it being fairly successful at those as well? >> yes, of course they fault the exact protocol, standard operating procedures we have at the other 435 so airport around the country. they have to use the same equipment, same training all those things. fish is the actual happen to work for a private contractor rather than tsa. >> the expansion beyond 16 airports have got to come from the airport themselves. >> yeah, they apply and then we evaluate. and so many announcement is

named simply say no to see something clearly something substantial that would make sense to justify a change from what the system is already working. >> okay. thank you, mr. chairman i yield that. >> the chair recognizes the member of the full committee, mr. thompson for five minutes. >> thank you very much, mr. chairman. i appreciate your frankness and responding to the question. let's look at air cargo for a moment. as you know, we recently have received notice that the department has done a 100% passenger cargo screening. have there been any problems relative to did, not delivered on time with the implementation of this 100% screening?

>> know, congressman. it does work very efficiently through a combination of certified cargo screening facilities, about 1200 of them around the u.s. a couple were done at the airports. >> i think that is part of closing the vulnerability loop that pretty much all of us identified. moving to another area, repair stations. i understand that you are in the process of doing some rulemaking and for whatever reason we don't have it. can you give us some idea of when some of the proposed rulemaking will be completed? >> so with domestic repair stations, but you may be referring to -- we work obviously with faa and terms of their certification of those

facilities and being qualified to do the repair work, ashley on the u.s.-based carriers. part of the challenge is how do we validate that what they are doing meets our standards in the u.s. so in certain countries, there are security protocols and regiment that are not as thorough. as part of the challenge. how we work with the host government, civil aviation authority and the cargo companies to give us that highest level of confidence that when they are making repairs to aircraft that there is not something else taking place. part of that is the screening of the mechanics who work in those facilities. it's a logistical challenge for us to validate, to inspect invalidate those stations. akeley do that in concert with the industry quite >> can you give us an idea -- >> ought to get back with you on

that commissary. i don't know what the top of my head. >> the reason i say is they've gone beyond the expected time on that. so if you could get back to us, we'd appreciate it. for the record, also mr. chairman, i want to share with the committee relative to the collective bargaining issue that there are already people who love collective bargaining rights within the department of homeland security. our customs and border protection, offices, immigration, custom and forced and in the federal services. but also within the federal government, we have the department of defense police, united states capitol police, united states parks police, united states marshals service, department of veterans affairs police as well as the united states police. but also, the whole issue of

security of whether or not the collective bargaining and compromise the security, i'd like to say that the two officers who brought down the shooter at fort hood for members of the american federation of government employees union. so i think those two heroes deserve recognition. and just as a sidebar, they were union members. i think he did a wonderful job and hopefully some of the concerns about collective bargaining and belonging to the union can be put to rest. i guess the only other issue mr. administrator come he talked a little bit about it is implementing with our imaging machines new software. can you give us how long the

pilots are expected to go before we can recognize the new results on that? >> yes, mr. congressman, do testing in las vegas last week, washington national reagan airport in atlanta this week. we are doing between 45 in 60 days of field testing to assess whether the results we have in the lab will be commensurate with what were actually experienced team with rail passengers in real screening. it's too early to say other than from las vegas that it's going well. we are working through some of the issues, for example, an individual with a ponytail that may show up as an anomaly that could be a machine because it need be slightly out of the algorithm that is normal. but that is easily resolved with a visual inspection. so it's part of the training for the tso to say okay, how do we resolve that? and then, completely ice agree it's what the issues that have

been raised here is the generic object of the icon of a person, which is the same for every passenger is opposed to the individual with the area highlighted with the anomaly. it is a target in that area of which also addresses the patdown issue that some people have concerns about. the mag thank you. i yield back. >> the chair recognizes mr. brooks for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman. a few questions with respect to collective bargaining. if the tso's polite to the former union, who would they be bargaining with? >> so under the contract of enabling legislation, it gives tsa and it demonstrator great discretion, so the only national level collective-bargaining and it would be with the headquarters. so again we wouldn't have local collective bargaining. it would only be two procedures

as opposed to individual airport issues at the national level. >> it would be with you ultimately? >> perhaps ultimately, but ultimately there would be others who would be engaged on a day-to-day basis. >> if i understand correctly, it would be management process, awards and recognition, management guidelines and process is and things of that nature? >> correct. >> how do we know that will be expanded at some point in the future to include many other items? >> the enabling legislation gives the administrator the sole discretion as to what can and cannot be bargained about. and so, is to think like going through a cafeteria i like this, i laid this, i don't want that. so they are those items that i believe are not adversely affect you in any way.

for our administrator would have to agree to it thanks to that. >> so if you or your successor were to change the scope of what the collective-bargaining could be about, then it would be changed. >> yes. >> go with the unions from d.c. should they disagree with the results of the collective-bargaining? >> again, because of the broad authority, there is basically final decision that rests with the administrator and there's no appeal from that. >> well, traditionally unions have -- have collective bargaining doesn't go as they wish, they have exercised straight great and they have, as you know, exercise work stoppages or work slowdowns. how do we have any assurance that would not have been in the united states and disrupt our security at facilities? >> because of those unique and very broad authorities that have to engage the administrator,

none of those possibilities are options. if any employee does not show up for work, they would be disciplined. there is no issues on that in collective bargaining. all of those processes and things will remain in place. obviously there is no work slowdowns or stoppage or strike a loud and an employee can be fired for doing those things. >> to some degree it seems their country visited the issue in the early 1980s the professional air traffic controllers organization as you probably recall, president reagan ultimately had to fire all of the patco employees en masse. are you willing to do the same thing should any of these tso workers decide to exercise a work stoppage or slow down or strike should they disagree with your determination of the bargaining process? >> well sure, guys. i won't allow anything to happen

that will firstly affect the security. an individual group of individuals are not performing their duties as assigned, then they would be disciplined and perhaps termination. >> you are on the record willing to determinate en masse need be should they engage in work stoppages or slowdown of any sort? >> i can't envision this because it not collective-bargaining. there's no right to do that. if an individual wants to risk losing their job by not showing up or join a work slowdown, then they will be subject to the normal disciplinary process which will ultimately result in determination. >> they really had no right to do what they were doing once reagan ordered them to return to work, so they were terminated. and i'm trying to get a clear yes or no answer from you. if there is a violation of the collect bargaining agreement, should they engage in a work stoppage or slowdown, or should

they engage in a strike, are you going to fire them in mass? >> i am willing to, yes. >> all right. thank you. >> the chair recognizes illinois for five minutes. >> thank you very much, mr. chairman. administrator, let me say straight off from the beginning that i yanked in favor of tsa employees having the right to organize. they also want to feel as secure in us predicted when i travel. and i also want to feel that the american public in all the public who make use of our transportation system can feel the same way. i note in your memorandum relative to collect the bargaining come you stated that

surveys have shown that tsa ranks poorly in terms of employee morale. how important do you think morale is in terms of service? and do you think that the organization or the right to organize the union would have a positive impact on morale building? >> thank you, congressman. as your web last year, opm survey in terms that things look in the u.s., tsa rank to 20 out of 225 agencies. in a number of town halls around the agency, listening to security officers as supervisors and the management and the executives in each session, what i found was a great deal was a

lack of consistency in him and personnel policies. and that is part of what informed my decision to allow them to recognize 13,000 of the 47,000 or so. so i think there's a lot of distraction among the workforce that could be improved with better uniform consistency. that's part of my reason and rationale on whether it's a want to read the union representing them. >> i know the individuals are as concerned about the possibility of public employees striking or slowing down the work. in some way disruptive normal flow that could be. what are perhaps some of the ways that individuals who are

dissatisfied -- what can they actually expect to do to try to get those involved? >> so while the existing processes that we have in place will continue, obviously they are encouraged to issue first at the supervisor and try to work through that on a partnership basis. if that doesn't work, depending on what the issue is and they're concerned, then they have other opportunities to raise those of collective bargaining is voted on, then they would be able to have that representation at a hearing or whatever would come up as a result of that issue. >> of course i come from chicago, which obviously it's good to be from their. but we are also the

transportation hub for your region. as a matter of fact, there are those who would suggest we are the transportation center of america and that is the because of our strategic location. much of that relates also to service transportation. are there any news., provisions, guidelines that are being proposed to safety and security related to surface transportation? >> we recognize that the surface, particularly trains subways are vulnerable and have been subject to multiple attacks around the world as i mentioned earlier. the challenge is how do we get the individual on the passenger train for a subway? and so we've done several

things, partially due to security grant program, where we are working with fema and state and local authorities, we provided over $300 million last year to a number of different transportation systems, including some of those in chicago that use the money for several things. one is training of officers. it may be additional canine programs and training. it may be such things as even in new york city were last year they were able to hire 120 or so officers in the n.y.p.d. just for enhanced security and the subway and 450 subway stations. that was money to the grant program. we also have micro genes in a motor protection response teams, which are designed to be visible, unpredictable deterrence to those with the station in philly or new york or

in chicago. and some of that is to grant monies start working the state and locals. we recognize we can't be all things to all people at all times. we have to work through the local partnership, whether it's state and local patrice, amtrak police, whether it may be. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i yield back. he met a friend and colleague from california, mr. lundgren is recognized for five minutes. is recognized for five minutes. is recognized for five minutes. and taking issues on minutes. and taking issues on full-body scanners when that came up a little while ago. -- a few months ago. i would like to ask you about your decision with respect to screening partnership program. he said that members of congress who may not purchase nation wanted a pilot project. the pilot project was conducted. he said the results were good.

.. in this case. he said it holds a surge, you need the flexibility of the surge, yet you then testify in only a couple airports have asked for it. there's 400 some odd airports. are you saying adding two more

would complicate your situation with respect to flexibility of the surge so you couldn't accomplish a task? >> what i'm saying is i didn't see a compelling reason to add to the existing 16 that would be reason to begin change from the existing approaches using federal list work force in most areas we estimate when we pass the legislation, we wanted to see whether the woodwork. we didn't say there would be a compelling reason to go further. i mean, the idea was to have a project to see if it would work. now you're saying it has to be a compelling reason. i don't understand the bias against the private sector frankly, and that's what appears to me to be. if you look the experience of the san francisco international airport which has been outstanding, that provide competition to the others and when this program first started one of the highest rates of injury of the antiyour work

force and the navy were screeners. the private employer in san francisco decided that instead of having all the screeners lift heavy baggage directly get heavy baggage lifters and paid them a different rate. and what happened? the didn't have the same injury rate that the public sector did, then the public sector saw that was a good idea and the did that. the idea of competition allows those kinds of things that can happen. so i'm trying to find out why you say you have to have a compelling reason coming in to talk about katrina. how many private-sector people responded to katrina? you're telling us that somehow because these folks work for a company that makes a profit that that's somehow different? i'm just trying to get this idea through my head as to why you have this fought that we can't have private screeners when

airports are saying they would like that alternative. >> again, congressman, i appreciate and believe and understand your concerns -- >> i don't believe you do. >> based on what you said. >> i hear your concerns. i think if we look at from the perspective of what happened prior to 9/11 with private screening there was compelling -- >> that is completely different. >> private screeners versus federal there should be a federal work force -- >> okay you answered it. you believe a federal work force. >> i misspoke in my comments before you were here. >> you believe in a federalist work force rather than one that actually has private folks working at the direction of those. >> that's right. that's what i testified to earlier before we came in, and so that's my philosophical approach. i should believe it should be fertilized work force. >> to work in the private-sector? >> is a practiced law before i

became fbi agent. >> is their something about the private sector that makes them unable to participate in the security of the country? >> absolutely not. >> well i'm just astounded frankly that you would say that. particularly since that is contrary to what the congress indicated they wanted done. they wanted a pilot project to see if it works. it has worked and use it in your testimony it's worked. but despite that, you say we should not allow it to go further because you believe it ought to be a federalist work force. >> i'm saying i'm open to the possibility and that's why i continue the 16 and if an airport comes and can demonstrate they have a compelling reason to change because they can do things better than i am open to that. i'm not ruling that out, congressman. >> what is your body is against private sector people being involved in the security? 85% of our critical

infrastructure is owned by the private-sector. are you suggesting we need to federalize 85% of the critical infrastructure in this country because somehow only federal workers can do the job? >> swedes had just the two airports come since i've been the administrator because there hasn't been brush to knock down the door to have airports submit application to do this. >> would you believe they might be discouraged by your comments? >> i'm saying that to the time of my announcement i think one and then one can after the announcement to demonstrate -- >> hardly encouraging is it what you said so far? >> i don't know how they would take that. >> i know the do it ticket. it is a lot of the federal work screeners task force. you have to find a compelling reason, which means you give them a higher bar and you've given all sorts of reasons to believe it's going to interfere in your flexibility to respond to a potential disaster, and

frankly i understand what you say. philosophically i disagree. i think the congress disagrees with you, and frankly, jerry disappointed. because i think that you're basically saying you are going to get a standard that is and in the law because you have for whatever reason believe in those in the private sector can't do as good a job as those in the public sector, and i'm sorry to hear that. >> the gentleman yields backend recognizes the gentleman from louisiana for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman. >> mr. pistole, just very quickly, can you touch for me on the security, and i know that it's probably many districts but our reliance go through neighborhoods close to schools, close to the big sporting venues my concern has always been what happens if the rail line is used as a weapon they share bridges

without automobiles many times. >> sure,,, and i share that concern recognizing vulnerability and the access to rail but it's not necessarily associated with aviation, and as i mentioned with the attacks around the world against rail particularly passenger rail and also just the partnership that we have both with freight and passenger rail in terms of their actions that they can take without government regulation but to say the business for us to reduce our risk, and the example i gave up the 90% reduction and the hazard risk through urban areas by industry's own initiative. that is an ideal model for me where the industry does that voluntarily. it's not a regulation, it's a good business sense. so we worked closely with whether it is the amtrak or the real police address the security chiefs of the major real from the freedom of passenger and

several different settings from and what we ought to ensure is the partnership has intelligence can make judgments as to what actions to protect the rail. >> my last question and be on the freight car and where we are headed with it. >> the 1 million cars at this point we haven't checked the number to be sure but we think that's right. frankly it's not where like it to be. it's taken longer than it should, and there haven't been successes i would like to see in terms of trying to ensure the best possible safety by those who have access to the most critical areas. i am focused on that and want to make some improvements in the timing and the rollout is taking too long, frankly.

>> thank you, and i would yield back the remainder. >> the gentleman yields back. >> speaking of mr. davis the next questioner is from minnesota so they can get the vanilla. the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. specs before. in my home town it was 31 degrees below zero and i love minnesota, i do. good for ice fishing right now. thank you. i appreciate you coming today and appreciate your service to this country and i do have a couple being an airline pilot the machines are walks through routinely always seemed to grab my interest. last week that he is a beginning software known as the author meet its target recognition and this is used as the current advanced imaging technology machines. the new software will enhance passenger privacy by eliminating the passenger specific images instead of the auto detect potential threat to the items on

generic passenger instead of the vivid images that we have seen all over. the tsa is conducting a pilot of the new software at last the guess international airport, atlanta international airport, and washington airport as well. have we gotten any feedback from the passengers regarding the program this for? >> just from last vegas, congressman. it's something we are getting positive feedback because the passenger actually sees the image now along with the security officer was opposed to it gives greater confidence there's something for example on the right they can say i forgot to take my handkerchief out of my pocket or something as opposed to a complete pat-down or something if you try to resolve that anomaly and it's actually increasing the throughput so this far, so good. >> tsa should be commended for listening to the public on that session. that's great. my concern is can this

technology make sure it can see any size of any object on the passenger from the top of his head to his toes for screening without getting into detail. >> there are challenges and obviously the christmas day bomber presented one of those challenges, so that's why we are field testing this. it's actually the same equipment just a different depiction of the image, so we believe it is the best available technology to detect those types of nonmetallic bombs as have on christmas day but it's not foolproof. there's no silver bullet here it is just the best technology available and we are trying to improve that. >> there is a millimeter wave, machines and when did you expect this to be piloted to the back scanner machine? >> the manufacturers are working on the auto detect and the

elders sums rethinking the would be later this summer with lab testing and field testing in the fall probably. >> of the pilot project does go well do you plan to put these returns in every one of the airports or we have obviously funding is what will be the key there. >> funding is the key. as much as the budget will allow we can resort the existing to our conversions as the minimal cost and as soon as we are able to do that assuming we get the results we are hoping for. >> thank you and i yield back. >> the chair now recognizes himself for a series of questions. currently transportation workers carry a number of different identification credentials. among these but not limited are the card we've already talked with, commercial driver's license hazardous material endorsement and the free and secure car to read these

credentials all have a separate application process and require separate background checks many of which are redundant. many stakeholders continue to express the strong concern to me we need to address these redundancies can you tell them what we can do to get some relief? >> thank you mr. chairman. i agree with you and the industry and there are too many cards with to many applications with too little return on that process i don't have much in terms of the positive news on that. obviously it is larger than tsa or the department and working on the universal rule of having ideally one card that would give access and the question is if the person has access what is the application of the point of access to their part, if they don't have access to commercial driver's license with a has - endorsement so there's different applications from different

people. very few people who have all of those needs of access such as a sense of the airport so there's some basis but it's become much too cumbersome and i look forward to working with you in the committee on streamlining the process. >> i'm glad you offered that comment because one of the other things and doing is the various sectors of transportation industry is inviting them to give me proposed rule changes, whether it's regulation that is redundant or is just over lieberman some. -- burdensome. i would urge you to consider to get rid of the redundant and unnecessary rules. i don't know if you have anybody in your department looking at existing regulations you can scream line, but if you could i would urge you to do that because it is becoming problematic for a lot of the

different sectors. my colleagues on the committee would be disappointed in me if i didn't bring up canine, so i'm going to do that. as you know, i am a zealous advocate for the canine explosive detection assets, and i would like you to tell us, you mentioned earlier the use of those. tell me are aware -- where you are with that sector of your leered security. >> i am a big proponent surprisingly of a 49 program both in the act will detection of explosives, but also the effect of those possible terrorists who might be deterred by the presence of a k-9 candler regardless whether the k-9 is a bomb system fault or not. i also very heartened by the initiative through the university in terms of the paperweight technology. the ability for a dog trained properly to not just sit on the

package or the backpack or whatever it may be containing the explosives but can pick up the weber and somebody has walked through, and for example at moscow the question would be if there had been a trained dog in that area even after the person walked through, that bald would have liked to have been able to be on something like that comes that's something i would be interested in. appreciate your support in terms of what we are doing at all auburn, and we have a number of opportunities to deploy those dogs as the budget will allow. >> that is lamb hoping that we are going to see in the president's budget next week. i know the secretary has expressed her desire to see those assets utilized within the various sectors of the security system. as you know, the series that you have that laughlin this much of the money has been suggested by the secretary set to expand so it's going to be at its maximum

capacity to generate 275 things a year. we are going to have to have the production of those assets as well as training so i'm hoping you're working with the secretary to that end, and i can assure you i want to be a partner because we need those in every airport, we need them in every station and they are just a very low cost effective asset. my time is up. i recognize the gentle lady from texas for another series of questions. >> thank you. administrator pistole i would like to add my appreciation for the time spent with us today. i would like to get some political storms not aimed at you but in any even if i could get quick answers i would appreciate. you need to answer the original question that i had about the notice to the members, the ranking member of that time, the chairwoman of the changes that occurred, changes that occurred

back then, but let me skip and not go all the way back to november, but the changes that occurred in the immediate last two or three weeks that i called about and saul first on the local tv program that changes were coming to the enhanced process and was aired on our local station in houston. i would like to have better communication, so if you answer that when i give you the series of questions. first of all, i want to reinforce and think you. i think that your thought process on the sltt were thoughtful and i feel it's important to acknowledge again that you found a security operation at airports, private screeners cost the government more money and we are cost conscious we don't want to be cheap on to become and i see this important. i also believe as i asked my earlier question that it is important that we have an integrated system of the federal screeners that allows the agency to quickly react to terrorists

and threats in a more secure way. i also believe that the intelligence is so very important and i want to congratulate you for getting the high number of security cleared. might i also specifically note the appreciation for the colonel tester that is in my jurisdiction, and she has done a great job and let me publicly say on the record, colonel tester i look forward to testing the cargo space you've been inviting me and i hope to be there shortly. but i want to follow up very quickly and now these are the quick question status report on the tsa repair station. we've been working on that repair station security for a long time coming and if i could just get one or two of states. on the international front after yemen we rushed overseas to establish, and also after the christmas day bomber incident the last point of departure in foreign countries, and i'd like

to know what we have done and what about our agreement how we in congress can be helpful, what tools or resources of your interest to be to increase passenger baggage and security of the foreign airports, and i know some of those are international agreements, but we need to know how we can wrap it up and move a little bit more faster. >> i have always been concerned in making sure america and the federal government look like america. i know my friends agree with me. so i am very much interested in a targeted, forceful, a meaningful approach to diversify the executive and nonexecutive level at the tsa and working with people from diverse backgrounds. i ask that question of the secretary, including people of different faith, religion, particularly the muslim community. and i'm also interested in home grown al khaleej for hispanics and african-americans, asians and native americans, and

course, in texas include americans, a diverse work force that reflects everyone. so, i am hoping someone was writing this down if i can get some bullet answers from you again quickly. thank you. >> thank you, madame. i wasn't sure whether you wanted those answers now -- >> yes. >> briefly on the air cargo with yemen, i was in yemen and five days after working with the authorities and the country team very briefly. fully engaged with the industry to ensure that any cargo coming from yemen once we lifted the hold which we put into effect immediately would have the best screening possible, and we are still continuing that process and we can give you a further update. >> what are you working fast on these international agreements? >> yes. and of course working with the aviation organization, the world customs organization international maritime -- as i

mentioned earlier i don't have specific dates. i have to get back to you. >> very important. and as you well know, this whole idea of what happens when our airplanes are exposed overseas and the repair it is a key issue the gentleman from rhode island had begun working on, so we need an extensive answer on that to the >> diversity, if you know tsa has the most diverse work force not only in the dhs but the federal government, and again, all the figures on that -- >> let me get that in writing because you say that all the time and what you're talking about were the officers and i'm talking about the executive level. that is extremely important, and i love to speak with the chairman of this professional development issue. i traveled through what i hear is bright intelligence with no place to go. so we need to sort of get an understanding of how we advance and give them the opportunity to be professional and move

forward. you've never gotten to me about this noticed situation about hearings on the television and to the chairman and myself being able to -- >> and i apologize for that, ranking member sheila jackson lee. if there's something -- i am drawing a blank, that was. >> we are talking about the ait -- i were news reported before i knew anything about it that you are changing. >> from the atr test? >> yes. this is now 2011 and by giving back to november. >> obviously i want to keep you and the chairman fully informed. when i don't do that, then allow me to do a better job. >> i appreciate that. i just want to say it's not only the chairman who mentioned the k-9 on this issue, and i look forward to you really hopefully pumping that up, the talented, healthy animals that really are a great asset. mr. chairman, i hope we will be able to visit again as we have

in the past. again, thank you for your indulgence, and like think that i will yield back at this moment. >> the gentlelady yields backend is recognized for second series of questions. >> thank you mr. chairman. understanding being in the military and also an airline pilot understand there is a best way to go without things as the leader of security because quite frankly there are the leaders of threat. there is no silver bullet as you said. it starts basically from one person purchased a ticket to win the right to the airport to when they check their bags or not to when they go through a screening point to when they actually go on board the aircraft. so, in recent terrorist attacks in the moscow report, unfortunately this was conducted in a non-secure area. now that's why these threats, these layers of security are so important. i was just wondering what are

your thoughts? has the tsa increased security for the non-secure areas, and one of the things i think are promising especially since we've gone through several times myself is the human intelligence , human interaction. we can discern a lot of these threats before they actually enter more of a secure area. i was just wondering what your thoughts are. >> we couldn't agree more, congressman. i believe strongly in the detection, the observation of individuals, and we have a number of officers trained in that regard. on what looked to increase that in terms of the number and the capabilities basically to of greed that even more because i think that has a good return on investment. we look as far as the non-secure areas such as in moscow. we work closely with the airport police and others in the 28 largest airports and then of course the smaller airports

which may or may not have a dedicated police force. so we try to do that in conjunction with them recognizing their law enforcement authorities and ability to protect and the tour somebody coming in from the curbside. although our behavior detection officers are in the outside of the area in the non-secure area looking for people going to the checkpoints, it is much an opportunity i think for the airport and others to detect in conjunction with us so given our responsibilities, particularly if the check .8 beyond and then of course federal air marshals and so one on the flights. i look forward to working with the subcommittee on additional things we can do. so there is a whole range of things we can do it and i have outlined that in the paper to the secretary, and we have provided information to the russian authorities to ask what can you do in terms of the things such as vehicle checkpoints. l.a.x., los angeles

international, from time to time, they will do random vehicle checkpoints before we ever get to the curb. that's something that can be done. if we have more viper teams walking and just again, the visible unpredictable. so there is a range of opportunities basically just limited by what the resources are in the budget and things like that. >> i couldn't agree with you more because of the threats we need the early years of detection, we need intervention as well. >> good way to present it. also following your confirmation you attempted to shift of airplanes to the ground transportation. you view that the former rebel against rail and subways are equally important and i couldn't agree as well. and i wouldn't want your job. as a threat against the aviation we also have to take a look at our ground transportation. the resources allocated to the security effort account for roughly 80% of the tsa budget. do you see that moving at all?

>> working with this committee and the rest of congress very interested in the opportunity we would have to do more info surface transportation because there are vulnerabilities that are just inherent in the construct of being able to get on the train without any security screening. again, we have the fiber teams and high-profile places with its union station, penn station, new york and things like that but the nature of the system is the real themselves more vulnerable in certain respects and can dillinger a lot of detail from that perspective, so i agree. more could and should be done. it's the question of this point do we take something away from aviation security to address that and i am reluctant to do that given the terrorist interest in aviation plots. >> thank you. one last question and its generic and i don't expect much detail. what keeps you awake at night?

>> the unknown and this is based on my nearly 27 years of the fbi, the unknown as somebody we haven't identified being able to do something and we miss it. >> thank you. i yield back the best of our time. >> the chair now recognizes the gentlelady for five minute. >> just let me welcome this year to the committee and thank her for the leadership. >> thank you mr. chairman and to the ranking member. i was actually in the oversight reforms o.s. knockout of that committee to come say hello to mr. pistole. i would like to explore the issue of foreign repair operations. you know, we are struggling with how we create more jobs in this country, and meanwhile some of our carriers are off shoring of the repair work of many of their

facilities. so we have mechanics are now out of work. but one issue. though more crushing issued on a think you will be most concerned about is the fact that in a briefing i received just last week, the security at movies foreign locations is very, very little and i was shown pictures of how the czech people in, and it's basically with a card you can pick up anywhere it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to get one of those cards to get into the area to stow away a bomb or biowarfare that could create serious problems. as a number one, what steps are you taking to beef up the security that these airlines are evidently not pursuing in these

foreign venues and second, is there a thought to bringing these jobs back to the united states so we can have a greater sense of security and more jobs here in the homeland? >> thank you, conagra's common and welcome to the subcommittee. clearly the issue of the foreign repair station significant. i want to address the job issue too much because i'm focused on the security aspects. but clearly, the carriers at times need those repair stations based on whatever has happened in terms of maintenance or repairs that are needed. you have precisely identified with the challenges are. there's a great inconsistency of around the world as to the security of those locations as you were briefed on last week, and our challenge is how we can go about inspecting those with any sense of assurance and confidence that they are doing

what they should be doing in terms of screening of the mechanics who work there. they screen the material that the burning so there's not something that they are putting in the plan with that being found with its cargo bomb or something else. so our challenge is we don't have the resources to do what i would want to offer to the american people and the airlines and at a high level of confidence and the security of those operations, so we work with the host government and the civil aviation bilaterally. we also work for the international civic aviation which sets the minimum standards. but it really comes down to how do we trust and verify, so we have to have some of the trust in our foreign partners but it's a question of the verification of the nation of what they are doing, and i can't give you a positive report on that tuesday that yes every single form of repair station meets the standards we would like to see here in the u.s..

that's something we are working on but it's not there yet. >> let's not even talk about foreign carriers, let's talk about u.s. carriers who have offshore their mechanical work will salvador and around the world. we do have some authority over them, do we not? >> sure. >> this is united airlines audience speaking of. >> we work with united and the facility to basically assess whether their standards are up to hours and if they are not, then we can say you are not allowed to do that repair work it's incumbent upon not only the repair station but the airline and the host government to ensure that the case. my concern is as much in being able to as i mentioned validate what they are doing. >> i guess i'm asking you then as i want you to assess the

security in el salvador as the facility that united runs because it appears to be just incomplete and lacks and if you do not have authority to force them to be felt their security then we need to make sure you have that authority and any other penalties that should be imposed. >> that is obviously something we do in conjunction with faa and other certification of those facilities so it is a partnership with faa. specs are you will report back to the committee. >> thank you. >> the gentlelady yields back and i recognize the gentleman from california. >> thank you. mr. administrator, earlier i mentioned i think you for taking the arrow on the issue of the advanced imaging or we use to call them full-body scanners. for years i've suggested we don't do the to have and i don't care line.

for those who don't care we get in the line and go through have a full body scanner and if people are concerned they can go through the regular one as a recipient of an artificial hip and an artificial knee i get the chance to get up close and personal with your screening every time i fly, and if you want anybody to testify as to the newly aggressive enhanced pat-down skycam testify to that. i'm very strongly in support of getting these advanced imaging -- well, various types of against imaging facilities and i was wondering what is the decision making as to which airports have and which don't? for instance of the talks about regan. i had the chance to go through one time and believe me there was a bitter experience than having a pat-down. i fly in and out of dallas which

seems to be important airport for this national capital region, and they just completed the new terminal, the just completed the new entire floor for people going through a screening process and yet i have not seen a single enhanced image piece of equipment. is there a reason why in this national region we don't any in dallas but it may be awhile before you travel through. >> yesterday. a couple days ago. >> we do have ait in dallas. i don't know the exact number. it's a process of being deployed so it may just be that checkpoint. >> i'd love to find it because i will use it. >> 12? something -- i think we have 12. >> i guess my bigger question is how we decide which airports get to them as we are moving along,

and it seems to me from your public statement you're committed to that and in the leading them. >> i do. is began to believe we can do a better job of insuring people of the privacy concerns. even though i believe we have done a pretty good job in the past. >> i think we have also. >> what is the process for deciding? is that an airport request? >> yes, several factors. one is the airport authorities configuration, their readiness basically because the machines do take up more space than the metal detectors, so some airports we have to reconfigure the checkpoint and so those airports just speaking generally now, generally those airports that have -- capability and willingness to take those machines is where we went first and then those that have to be billed out there's costs involved in the federal government and the airlines, all those issues make it more complicated so it's a longer

process that eventually we got 2200 checkpoints around the country, the budget doesn't allow that for every checkpoint that many of those are small airports. >> now that i recall when i left sacramento i did not -- when i went through the one at dallas two and a half weeks ago i set off the detector and went through the pat-down and after i got the pat-down they shed the cassette you should have asked for the machine. no one told me there was a machine. it might be helpful that given the opportunity for people to use the machine if they want to get to the machine. >> as to the less invasive privacy aspect of going through the new pieces of equipment as opposed to the pat-down because people are doing a very good joy of that. let me go through at talk about the secure traveling program. are we checking for things were

checking for people? >> right now we are checking for prohibited items but where i want to move to is assessing the person and that is what was talking about earlier in terms of using more of an intelligence risk-based approach, so clearly, i think there are many opportunities i would like to go into detail with the subcommittee at a later date and still working internally but i think there's very good options we will see this year. >> for several years a number of laws have been arguing it makes no sense to make the pile let's go through when they control the aircraft later on. >> that's why i changed the policy. >> i know that it's incorrect to think he would change members of congress any differently and i appreciate that, but i would just deposit the question if you have a group of people who are permitted under the wall of the united states to have the highest classified briefing you can possibly have, it seems strange to me maybe you have some intelligence you will share with us later that finest

members of congress are a suspect class, but all i can say is your people to a very good job of making sure i know that the deferral examination of me every time i go through. >> i appreciate that, and i will know to we just at a briefing about the gao who does all kind of covert testing every time because of their innovative techniques and the best, but and the subcommittee will be interested in some of these ways forward that we can use a risk-based approach and taking what more we know about the person doing some prescreening basically to go to the identity based screening as opposed to the full fiscal screening. >> you've been a very good job of every test. every time i forgot and hair spray they've gotten it and i've had to throw it out, so i'd appreciate that. >> suite of 16 ait net dallas

now. >> thank you. >> the chairman yields back. i have no further question and the ranking member told me she has no further questions, so we will close but we want to think you for your time and answers and thank the members for their questions. we will hold a hearing open for ten days. members may have written questions they want to submit and we ask you you get those back in a timely manner. i've given you for questions from the aaa e and i would urge your response and hope to work and collaborative effort to address your concerns as well as the other sectors of transportation we talked about today. >> thanks, jarman rogers. >> with that, the hearing is adjourned. >> [inaudible conversations]

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

house speaker john boehner is speaking tonight to the conservative political action conference dinner organized by the american conservative union. the congressman will be receiving about john ashbrock award named after the late ohio republican congressman who served in the u.s. house for 21 years and was one of the founders and chairman of the american conservative union. this event is taking place at the marriott part hotel in washington, d.c. and its master ceremonies this talker carlson founder of the daily collar website. this is live coverage on c-span2. >> and the rockets red glare ♪ ♪ the bombs bursting in air ♪ gave proof through the night ♪ ♪ that our flag was still there

♪ oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ that our flag was still there ♪ and the home of the brave [applause] [inaudible] [inaudible conversations] we would like to ask [inaudible]

>> i begin with a patriotic hymn america known as my country to his of the. our father god author of liberty to the we think. long it may our land be bright with freedom's wholley light, protect us by thy might, got our king. we ask your blessings upon us at this conservative political action conference. helpless always remember with st. james that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the father of life with whom there is no variation or shadow. bless your servants, the men and women of our armed forces, bring them home safely after their

service in harm's way. maybe guardians of peace in a dangerous world. bless our conversation, be present at our deliberations. let our speech and actions be those of men and women cognizant of you and reflective of your justice and mercy. lest this banquet we are about to share and keep was always aware of and concerned for those who will not eat so well tonight. heavenly father united in our love of liberty which is your gift, we come to do from many creeds and traditions and pray to you in and through the past we all want your kingdom. i myself think my prayer through jesus christ, amen. >> thank you very much. we want to thank regnery publishing for eric ericsson and it's available on your way out in passing.

next program the presentation of the john ashbrock award. please, have a seat here yet >> ohio congressman john ashbrock was an uncompromising advocate for a limited constitutional government and reduce federal spending. a courageous man of principle and one of the most articulate anticommunist in congress. he spent his 22 years in washington opposing the expansion of new deal and great society programs. he contributed energetically to the national conservative movement as one of the founders of both the draft barry goldwater movement in 1963 and the american conservative union serving as chairman from 1966 to 1971. in 1971, ashbrook publicly broke with the nixon administration criticizing the presentation of liberal policies in the verbal trappings of conservatism. he announced his intention to oppose nixon's renomination a number of republican primaries.

he denounced the nixon administration for squandering the opportunity to build a conservative coalition to govern the country. although nixon went on to win their reelection, ashbrock's conservative challenge to the incumbent republican president paves the way for ronald reagan's gerald debate could challenge to 76. successful nomination and 80 was the beneficiary of a new conservative majority that ashbrock helped create. in 1982, ashbrook announced he would seek the republican nomination to oppose the incumbent democratic senator howard metzenbaum. sadly, while campaigning, he collapsed and died a month later. the john ashbrock center for public affairs, located on the ashlawn university campus, was established and named in honor of the late congressman. president ronald reagan personally dedicated the center in 1983. today, over 25 years later, the ashbrook center has taken the national leader in providing civic education programs that

emphasize the study of america's founding principles and limited constitutional government. the ashbrook center hosts even this and lectors encouraging citizens to develop a deeper understanding of the principles upon which our great nation was founded. the center offers educational programs for students, teachers and citizens. a select group of over 12500 graduate students participate in the ashbrock scholarship program. a rigorous and top-rated academic program for serious public spirited students with a passion for civic leadership. history and social studies teachers from all 50 states study in the master of american history and government program, the only program of its kind in the nation. this graduate program was created to address the lack of proper history and civics education in our schools, and it focuses on the use of original historical documents in the classroom. the ashbrook center is continued to grow as in ways that will reshape the way history and

civics are taught nationwide. we do run america's purpose -- we doing america's purpose and promise. [inaudible conversations] >> one, two, thank you. some of you may remember a certain tv commentator who shall remain nameless about two years ago reflecting on his party's newly named nominee and the physical reaction that he had to it. well i don't know about you, but at the recent state of the union, when i looked up to my right and saw a dignified classy guy sitting there, i got tangled up both legs. [laughter] how great is it to have john

boehner served in the succession line? [applause] john boehner is just a regular guy, second oldest of 12. he grew up mopping floors, waiting tables and tending bar at his dad's tavern just outside cincinnati in a blue-collar town. while working his way -- excuse me -- to pay his way through night school at the xavier university, she met his wife debbie and has been married 37 years by the way and started his own small business. john got involved in state and local politics after seeing firsthand how high taxes and red tape impact entrepreneurs. unlike president obama and nancy pelosi, who have never had to meet a payroll or sign the front of a check. [laughter] [applause] in 1990, voters in south boston

lawyer sent on to congress and just reelected him for that time. he took a strong stand against pork barrel spending and is part of the gang of seven exposed corruption in the house establishment and forced politicians to live by the same laws as everyone else. he played a leading role in the republican revolution in 1994, helping draft the contract with america, a very bold agenda. went on to chair the education work force committee and got elected majority leader in 2006. john is a principled leader, and now as speaker of the house, he's leading the new house majority in keeping their pledge to america. they are focusing on removing barriers to private sector job creation and economic growth. they have cut the government spending, voted to repeal obamacare come and take meaningful steps to improve

transparency and accountability in congress. thank you. and they are just getting started. john is a tireless worker committed to making the tough decisions to get the country back on track. his life story is living proof that the american dream is still alive. only in america can you go from mopping floors of a tavern to becoming speaker of the house. we are fortunate to have a principled reagan conservatives like john leading the house. and thankful that he could be with us this evening. and by the way, he handled the stunning victory in november and the tucson tragedy in a very statesmanlike manner. john ashbrook would be proud to have a fellow ohioan leading the parade. the ashbrook award is intended to recognize and honor individuals and politics and

related fields who exemplified the ideals so splendidly upheld by the late john ashbrook. and so well symbolized by his career. these include integrity of fox and conduct, the knowledge of what is right, and the determination to do right. the include a firm dedication to principles, the conviction that politics must be based upon sound doctrine and noble objectives and not merely on winning the elections. they include a rock like conservatism based on a profound understanding of the nature of human beings and civil societies and all the perils and possibilities. they include a determination to fight, alone if need be for worthy goals. it is our hope that the ashbrook award will encourage others to follow the example of john ashbrock and serve to honor their achievements when they do so.

we trust that its recipients will better understand from the honor in which we hold the memory of john ashbrook our respect and admiration for them. it is my great privilege and honor to present the ashbrook award to the speaker of our house, john boehner. [applause] ♪ ♪ [applause] ♪

>> thank you. let me say thank you to david for his leadership over all these so many years that he has led command to al, congratulations and good luck. [applause] and a special thanks to my friend for her leadership in this organization and always being there when i need her. let me also say a special thanks to my good friend and mentor of the former speaker of the house, newt gingrich. [applause] let me say to all of you i'm honored by this recognition, but as it is with the office that i hold it's not about me to read and wouldn't be speaker of the house of americans last year hadn't stood up and reasserted control over their government.

and as many people in this room -- as many of you in this room were involved in helping to leah that a pricing, so as i stand here tonight, all right, should be thinking of you for a job well done [applause] you know, our new majority is intent on honoring the commitment we made to the american people we will listen, we pledged we would do things differently if given the opportunity to run the house. we pledged we would focus on stopping the drop crushing spending binge that was going on in washington, d.c.. and we would pledge that we would focus on jobs and spending and stopping the massive regulatory assault that has led to massive uncertainty in the private sector. let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, we are going to keep our word. [applause]

i have run a business, i met a payroll and i've created jobs. and i have seen firsthand how the government makes it harder for small businesses to create jobs and make ends meet except the government regulation presses jobs. this is why our majority will pass a resolution of thing we have today, no it would be tomorrow, the inventory review of federal agency rules and regulations that make it harder to create jobs and grow our economy. [applause] as was also why were new majority is going to pass my colleague from kentucky, geoff davis which would require congressional approval of any new regulation where the economic impact would be $100 million or more. let's let the congress and the people decide whether we need more regulations. [applause]

and excessive government spending that crushes jobs, too. bye printing and the borrowing all this money, the government is creating uncertainty and crowding out private capital right out of the market. every tax dollar the government takes in is a dollar that americans are unable to invest in themselves, their family, their business or their community. and the american people fundamentally get this. the problem is we don't have all the politicians in washington to quite understand this yet. i want to read a couple of quotes to you which i got from a great article written by a gentleman and i would encourage all of you to read the article if you get a chance. but it goes as follows. unions and their liberal allies want more welfare which would push up the deficit. they also want a national health program but would push up the