Hudson's Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Transportation Security Passes the U.S. Congress

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), former Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, released the following statement after a bipartisan bill he authored last Congress, the Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act (H.R. 720), unanimously passed the U.S. Congress.

"As threats to our security continue to grow and evolve, we must ensure our transportation community is prepared to protect themselves and the traveling public. This bill will create safer airports and transportation hubs across the country by providing more extensive coordination between all transportation security stakeholders. Given the partisan gridlock in Washington, I am proud of the support from folks on both sides of the aisle, and I encourage the president to join us in our efforts to keep travelers safe."

The Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act was introduced by Rep. Hudson in the 113th Congress to address the lessons learned from the tragic shooting at LAX in 2013 that claimed the life of TSA Officer Gerardo Hernandez. It was Rep. Hudson's second piece of stand-alone legislation to pass the U.S. House of Representatives during his first term in Congress.

As Chairman, Rep. Hudson held a field hearing at LAX in March of 2014 to review the findings of various assessments of the tragedy and discuss potential changes to emergency response protocols at airports nationwide. The following May, the Subcommittee on Transportation Security held a follow-up hearing on Capitol Hill to determine what lessons can be applied to better protect airports from active shooters.

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