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Scalise passes amendment on House Floor defunding burdensome TWIC rules

June 2, 2011

Washington, DC -- Late last night, Congressman Steve Scalise passed an amendment on the House floor eliminating red tape and burdensome requirements in the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) process. The Scalise TWIC amendment passed by voice vote during consideration of the Department of Homeland Security 2012 Appropriations Bill.

“More than 1.8 million workers currently receive Transportation Worker Identification Credentials and my amendment will speed up the renewal process by eliminating the burdensome requirement for an approved applicant to appear multiple times at a TWIC office, sometimes located hundreds of miles away, when a single visit can accomplish the same purpose,” Scalise said. “I’m proud to spearhead the effort to get rid of this unnecessary and time consuming roadblock in the TWIC application process, and will continue working to protect the nearly 2 million maritime and transportation industry workers from unnecessary regulations and red tape.”

“The men and women of the tugboat, towboat and barge industry applaud Congressman Scalise’s leadership in eliminating funding for the burdensome requirement that transportation workers make two trips to a TWIC enrollment center to apply for and pick up their TWIC,” said Jennifer Carpenter, Senior Vice President of The American Waterways Operators (AWO). “At a time when passports can be sent by secure mail and gas costs $4 a gallon, it’s just wrong to require working people to make two expensive and time-consuming trips to a TWIC enrollment center. AWO thanks Congressman Scalise for leading the charge to reduce unnecessary burdens on businesses and workers in Louisiana and around the country.”

Current Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations require that TWIC applicants make at least two separate trips to an enrollment center, first to enroll for, and then to pick up and activate their TWIC. Card holders must repeat the same process to renew their TWIC. In some cases the nearest enrollment center can be hundreds of miles away, requiring a time consuming and expensive trip. The Scalise amendment does not preclude TSA from implementing an effective TWIC program so long as in-person visits are not required every step of the way.

The Scalise amendment prohibits funds from being used to require multiple in-person visits to TWIC enrollment centers, thereby eliminating red tape.

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Contact: Stephen Bell
202-226-9113