Bills
| 3.23.22

I'm Locked Out of My Boat Again: A Report to Make Sure TSA Security Cards Work (H.R. 710)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 710?

(Updated July 19, 2017)

This bill was enacted on December 16, 2016

This bill deals with the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Program. The TWIC program is an initiative of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Coast Guard. The TWIC program offers:

"a tamper-resistant biometric credential to maritime workers requiring unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities, outer continental shelf facilities, and vessels regulated under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002." 

If enacted, this bill would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct an assessment of the card program — including an assessment of the cost-effectiveness and reduction of security risks. 


The TWIC program has drawn criticism following a Government of Accountability Office (GAO) report found that the $420 million program was unreliable. This followed a TSA report in 2011 stating that found over 26,000 of the cards were faulty, and a separate report by the National Employment Law Project finding that card applicants waited, on average, over two months to receive their cards — with some processing times topping fifteen months. 

Argument in favor

These security cards are of both great cost and importance to taxpayers, and their functionality is vital.

Argument opposed

The TSA security card system is a fiasco that needs a bigger overhaul than a DHS-prepared report.

Impact

Maritime workers, people who need security clearance to port facilities, the TSA, and the TWIC program.

Cost of H.R. 710

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable. However, a CBO estimate of a previous version of this bill (H.R. 3202) found that it would cost about $1.5 million in 2015.

Additional Info

Of Note: 

Getting a TWIC card involves giving up biographic and biometric information like fingerprints, a digital photograph, and successfully passing a security threat assessment performed by the TSA.

As of May 2014, at least 2,999,058 people had enrolled in the program.

Media: 

CBO Cost Estimate (Previous Bill Version)


(FWC) Public Sector Media Group (Context)