Rep. Swalwell Leads Letter of 39 Members of Congress Urging Robust Funding for Public Transit Safety to Prevent Terrorist Attacks

PLEASANTON, CA – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) coordinated a letter signed by 39 other Members of Congress calling for sufficient funding for transportation security purposes. The Members specifically requested that the Appropriations Committee allow for robust funding for FEMA's Transit Security Grant Program (TGSP).

There were over 10.5 billion passenger trips on mass transit in 2012 in the U.S., and an attack on any of these transit systems could kill thousands, flood rail tunnels and stations, and cripple major metropolitan areas. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that certain characteristics of mass transit systems make them inherently vulnerable to terrorist attack and difficult to secure.

"As we were reminded this week in Boston, we're not immune from terrorist attacks. Therefore, we must make sure we are as prepared as possible, which includes securing our mass transit systems," said Rep. Swalwell. "One of the Bay Area's major transit systems, BART, carried more than 114 million passengers last year. Even in our tight budget climate we have to prioritize protecting mass transit in order to save lives from any potential terrorist attack."

TGSP is a competitive grant program, which provides funds to owners and operators of transit systems to secure infrastructure and otherwise protect against terrorist attacks. Examples of possible uses for TSGP awards include surveillance training, public awareness campaigns, detection equipment, security cameras and the hardening of infrastructure.

The text of the letter and the signatories are below.

April 19, 2013

The Honorable John Carter

Chairman Subcommittee on Homeland Security

Committee on Appropriations

B-307 Rayburn House Office Building

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable David Price

Ranking Member Subcommittee on Homeland Security

Committee on Appropriations

1016 Longworth House Office Building

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Carter and Ranking Member Price:

As you prepare the Homeland Security appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2014, we respectfully request sufficient funding for state and local grant programs under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to allow for robust funding of its Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP).

We understand the Committee is under difficult funding constraints and agree that taxpayer dollars must be spent wisely. However, significant threats to the safety of our homeland remain. Federal funding must be continued at a sufficient amount to ensure security for the American people.

One sector which is heavily utilized and has unique security challenges is mass transit. There were over 10.5 billion passenger trips on mass transit in 2012 in the United States, covering all types of passenger rail and bus systems, according to the American Public Transportation Association. Americans should not fear riding the rails or boarding busses.

An attack on any of these systems could kill thousands, flood rail tunnels and stations, and cripple major metropolitan areas. And, the open and porous nature of mass transit systems make them especially vulnerable. Terrorists are well aware of these facts and have targeted such entities many times, such as in the high-profile, deadly attacks in Madrid, in 2004, and London, in 2005.

In June 2009, the Government Accountability Office summarized the issues facing mass transit security, writing the following:

According to [the Transportation Security Administration], transit officials, and transit experts, certain characteristics of mass transit systems, such as multiple access points and limited barriers to access, make them inherently vulnerable to terrorist attack and therefore difficult to secure. High ridership, expensive infrastructure, economic importance, and location in large metropolitan areas or tourist destinations also make them attractive targets for terrorists because of the potential for mass casualties and economic damage.

The special challenges in securing mass transit systems and the potential disaster that could occur from an attack mean we have to be extra cognizant of providing the necessary resources for this transportation sector. One way the Federal Government addresses this serious security threat is through TSGP.

TSGP is a competitive grant program currently administrated by FEMA, with funds going to the owners and operators of transit systems. Funding is made available for these entities to secure their infrastructure and otherwise protect against terrorist attacks. Examples of possible uses for TSGP awards include surveillance training, public awareness campaigns, detection equipment, security cameras, and the hardening of infrastructure.

Again, we understand that the current budget climate makes funding choices difficult. However, we ask that you keep in mind the consequences of failing to commit sufficient resources to protect mass transit systems used daily by millions of Americans. The small amount of money spent now could be dwarfed by the savings in lives and damage by preventing a horrific attack.

We respectfully ask that robust funding for TSGP be provided for in the FY 2014 Homeland Security appropriations bill. Thank you for your consideration of our request.

Sincerely,