Discussion · House of Representatives
Andrew R. Garbarino Republican
“I want the House to pass this bill. The government takes fees from airline passengers, but much of that money is not spent on airport security. This bill makes sure that money goes directly to airport security equipment and the TSA to keep travelers safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. As you heard from my colleague from Colorado, $4.5 billion was brought in last year under the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee. What passengers don’t know is that the first $1.6 billion last year was diverted to something else other than passenger security. This bill would say the first $750 million of that passenger security fee would go directly to equipment, and then the balance of that money would go to the TSA discretionary fund, which actually would allow the TSA to get access to this money. Last year, the TSA discretionary fund didn’t have access to this money until the first $1.85 billion was spent. Now, they are going to get access, if this bill becomes law, after the first $750 million is spent on security equipment to make our traveling public safe. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8770, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Babin). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8770, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.”
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. As you heard from my colleague from Colorado, $4.5 billion was brought in last year under the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee. What passengers don’t know is that the first $1.6 billion last year was diverted to something else other than passenger security. This bill would say the first $750 million of that passenger security fee would go directly to equipment, and then the balance of that money would go to the TSA discretionary fund, which actually would allow the TSA to get access to this money. Last year, the TSA discretionary fund didn’t have access to this money until the first $1.85 billion was spent. Now, they are going to get access, if this bill becomes law, after the first $750 million is spent on security equipment to make our traveling public safe. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8770, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Babin). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8770, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.