Hearing Of The Subcommittee On Transportation Security And Infrastructure Protection Of The House Committee On Homeland Security- "Is The Flying Public Protected? An Assessment Of Security At Foreign Repair Stations"

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"Security of foreign repair stations is a complex issue, and it raises questions about how
much the U.S. government can do to further secure aircraft repair and maintenance work
performed overseas.
We are here today to discuss a topic that not only highlights a potential security risk for
our flying public, but also reminds Congress of the need for improved interagency
cooperation in the creation and implementation of harmonized security policies.
Security at foreign repair stations is not a new topic. In fact, Congress first required TSA
to develop a security risk assessment and audit of foreign repair stations as early as
2003.
Today, nearly 7 years later, TSA has finally released an NPRM for repair station security.
Although I am pleased that it has been issued, I am also concerned that it fails to clearly
address serious procedural and communication questions that will be essential in
implementing an effective foreign repair station security program.
In addition, I am also concerned about the extent to which relevant stakeholders were
engaged in the construction of the NPRM.
While the NPRM provides a framework for this security program, we need further
clarification about how TSA and FAA will coordinate to make it effective, particularly in the
case of TSA identifying security discrepancies that may impact FAA's certification of a
foreign repair facility.
The communication between TSA and FAA must be timely and reliable regarding the
security of certified repair stations. With this proposed rulemaking, this interagency
process simply is not clear.
The 9/11 Commission emphasized the need for government to harmonize security
policies and improve coordination and information sharing in order to improve homeland
security.
Unfortunately, based upon my review of the NPRM and my conversations with staff, I
have concerns that the necessary coordination between FAA and TSA has not taken
place in order to create an adequate security regime.
I think that today's hearing offers an important opportunity to recommit to the necessary
dialogue among TSA, FAA, and industry stakeholders.
The Obama Administration has been hobbled on this topic by the multi-year delay of the
previous Administration. Accordingly, this hearing allows us to establish where we are
and where we need to go to keep the flying public secure.
I look forward to hearing from the Department of Transportation's Inspector General as
well as TSA and FAA. I also want to welcome our other stakeholder witnesses.
This Congress and this Administration have a continued commitment to strengthening our
homeland security efforts which include securing the aviation system to protect the lives
of those flying and the vast international commerce that aviation supports.
Finally, let me say that I look forward to working with the Executive Branch in establishing
an effective foreign repair station security program so that we can finally implement
appropriate security oversight on this very important, yet sometimes overlooked, part of
the aviation industry."

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