The publication is reproduced in full below:
TSA REACHING ACROSS NATIONALITIES, SOCIETIES, AND LANGUAGES TO ADVANCE
TRAVELER EDUCATION ACT
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 5574) to require the TSA to develop a plan to ensure that TSA material disseminated in major airports can be better understood by more people accessing such airports, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5574
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``TSA Reaching Across Nationalities, Societies, and Languages to Advance Traveler Education Act'' or the ``TRANSLATE Act''.
SEC. 2. PLAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a plan to ensure that TSA material disseminated in major airports can be better understood by more people accessing such airports.
(b) Contents.--The plan required under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An identification of the most common languages other than English that are the primary languages of individuals that travel through or work in each major airport.
(2) A plan to improve--
(A) TSA materials to communicate information in languages identified pursuant to paragraph (1); and
(B) the communication of TSA material to individuals with vision or hearing impairments or other possible barriers to understanding such material.
(c) Considerations.--In developing the plan required under subsection (a), the Administrator of the TSA, acting through the Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman, and Traveler Engagement of the TSA, shall take into consideration data regarding the following:
(1) International enplanement.
(2) Local populations surrounding major airports.
(d) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the submission of the plan required under subsection (a), the Administrator of the TSA shall implement such plan.
(e) GAO Review.--Not later than one year after the implementation pursuant to subsection (d) of the plan required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a review of such implementation.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Airport.--The term ``airport'' has the meaning given such term in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code.
(2) Major airports.--The term ``major airports'' means Category X and Category I airports.
(3) Non-traveling individual.--The term ``non-traveling individual'' has the meaning given such term in section 1560.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
(4) TSA material.--The term ``TSA material'' means signs, videos, audio messages, websites, press releases, social media postings, and other communications published and disseminated by the Administrator of the TSA in Category X and Category I airports for use by both traveling and non-traveling individuals.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Nevada.
General Leave
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Nevada?
There was no objection.
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 5574, known as the TRANSLATE Act.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congressman Van Taylor of Texas, for once again joining me in introducing this legislation, which will ease TSA's security processing at our Nation's major airports.
The TRANSLATE Act is bipartisan legislation building upon the Transportation Security Administration's ongoing efforts to increase access for non-English speakers, and for those with vision and hearing impairments, as they navigate the security screening process.
It does this by directing TSA to analyze common languages other than English that are spoken by both our international travelers as well as those who reside in the nearby community and then develop and execute a plan to disseminate security information in those languages to ease the screening process.
I represent the heart of Las Vegas Valley, including McCarran International Airport, which is one of the Nation's busiest airports, welcoming passengers from around the country and around the world who come to enjoy all that southern Nevada has to offer.
Navigating our air system can be stressful enough--if you travel back and forth, you know what I mean--for even the most well-seasoned traveler. Removing potential language barriers to ease TSA processing is not only beneficial for those travelers but also for the general public rushing to catch their flights.
Southern Nevada's community is rich in diversity. One of every three Clark County residents speaks a language other than English at home. Nationwide, that number is just over one out of every five residents. Yet, much of what TSA communicates to travelers and transportation workers through signs, announcements, videos, and online content is in English.
Let's be clear. You shouldn't have to worry about missing a plane at an airport in the U.S. just because you don't speak English. Making travel and security information easier to understand for non-English speakers and for those with vision and hearing impairments will help create a more comfortable and efficient airport experience for residents and visitors alike.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Committee on Homeland Security for their unanimous support of this legislation last month and the chairman for his assistance in getting this passed.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the passage of the TRANSLATE Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today for H.R. 5574, the TRANSLATE Act.
According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 67 million U.S. residents speak a language other than English at home. This legislation requires TSA to ensure that its communications materials in airports are in the primary languages of individuals who travel through and work in our country's airports.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, our Nation's airports connect Americans to one another and to the rest of the world. But for travelers who do not primarily speak English or who experience hearing or vision difficulties, the TSA screening process can be challenging and result in delays for all the other travelers who are standing in line.
By requiring TSA to make its signage and announcement more accessible to passengers at major airports, my bill will bring much-needed inclusivity and efficiency to the whole travel experience. I know we all appreciate seeing signs in English when we are traveling abroad. U.S. airports should be just as welcoming and reflect the diversity of our constituents and the travelers who visit our cities.
So, once again, Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 5574, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bowman). The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5574, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion are postponed.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 199
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