TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL EFFICIENCY ACT

On 2026-09-16, Representative Seth Magaziner (D-RI-2) delivered a floor speech titled "TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL EFFICIENCY ACT" in the House.

TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL EFFICIENCY ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)] [House] [Pages H5896-H5898] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL EFFICIENCY ACT Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5109) to require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration of the United States to develop guidelines to improve returning citizens' access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program, to assist individuals in custody of Federal, State, and local prisons in pre-applying or preparing applications for Transportation Worker Identification Credential cards, and to assist individuals requesting an appeal or waiver of preliminary determination of ineligibility, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5109 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 ``Transportation Worker Identification Credential Efficiency Act'' or the ``TWICE Act''. SEC. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL PROGRAM. (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall develop the following guidelines relating to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program: (1) To improve access of returning citizens to the TWIC program. (2) To assist individuals who are incarcerated in pre- applying or preparing applications for TWIC cards. (3) To assist individuals requesting an appeal or waiver of preliminary determinations of ineligibility for TWIC cards. (b) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the development of the guidelines described in subsection (a), the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall brief the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the implementation of this section. (c) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Returning citizens.--The term ``returning citizens'' means individuals released from incarceration and otherwise eligible for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program. (2) Transportation worker identification credential.--The term ``Transportation Worker Identification Credential'' means a Transportation Worker Identification Credential issued in accordance with section 70105 of title 46, United States Code. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Van Epps) and the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Magaziner) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee. General Leave Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5109. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Tennessee? There was no objection. Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5109, the TWIC Efficiency Act, which would require the administrator of the TSA to work within their existing authorities to develop a program to assist formerly incarcerated individuals with preapplying or preparing applications for TWIC credentials prior to release. [[Page H5897]] There is currently a shortage of qualified workers in industries that require a TWIC credential, and this legislation would address what is now a lengthy and burdensome process for formerly incarcerated individuals. It is important to note that this bill does not change or seek to change any of the factors that could disqualify an applicant from receiving a TWIC credential, and the rigorous process for adjudicating someone's application remains fully intact. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 5109, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. MAGAZINER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter), the bill's sponsor and my friend. Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 5109, the TWIC Efficiency, or TWICE Act. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with my Louisiana colleague, Congressman Clay Higgins and my dear friend from Texas who will be joining us shortly. I have long believed our criminal justice system must be about more than punishment. It has to create a pathway back into society. That is exactly what the TWICE Act does. It is a simple, commonsense fix that helps returning citizens get the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC, card they need to work at ports, terminals, refineries, and maritime facilities. Right now, people are training for in-demand jobs inside prisons, such as welders, electricians, pipe fitters, and truck drivers. But the moment they walk out, they hit a bureaucratic wall. TSA doesn't allow people to even begin the TWIC application process while they are still incarcerated. Then they get out, and they are motivated to work, but they are stuck waiting in line for months, waiting for a process that could have taken place while they were preparing for release. While they are trying to navigate this application process, it is a frustrating, unnecessary step, and it creates a further clog in the workforce chain. Many have to appeal an initial denial due to their records, which requires even more waiting, more paperwork, even though 98 percent of the applicants who get through the appeal ultimately receive a TWIC card. That delay can cost them the job and costs the employers skilled workers that they desperately need. The TWICE Act doesn't lower the bar. It doesn't change who qualifies or who is disqualified. It simply directs TSA to help develop guidelines so the incarcerated individual can preapply before they are released and receive help navigating appeals if necessary. If they can get the paperwork done while they are still inside, they can start working when they come home. These are the type of good-paying careers that will help keep them out of prison, out of a penal system, and on the road to being productive citizens again. I want to briefly tell you a story about Joel from New Orleans. After being incarcerated, Joel wanted to work in Louisiana's offshore energy industry, where many of the jobs require TWIC credentials. He applied for a TWIC card, paid the $125 fee, and--like most people in prison-- was automatically denied on the first try simply because he had a record, even though his conviction wasn't disqualifying. He then entered the 60-day appeal process, which required a variety of forms, letters, and recommendations, and resolving discrepancies in his background check. Unfortunately, Joel ran out of time trying to navigate the bureaucracy and paperwork. Without employment, he couldn't afford to reapply. He never got the TWIC card and had to find employment elsewhere. Never mind there was a job waiting for Joel. Never mind Joel did not have a disqualifying conviction. Never mind that Joel had a job ready, and he was prepared for the job. Because of this bureaucratic quagmire, Joel could not move forward. {time} 1140 American industries are begging for workers like Joel. Nationally, there is a gap of 2 million people between job openings and available workers in these sectors. Ports, shipyards, and barge companies need qualified people. Thousands of Louisianians are released every year and want to fill these jobs. This bill connects them to the employers that need them, as well. American Trucking Associations, The American Waterways Operators, American Association of Port Authorities, National Ocean Industries Association, Transportation Institute, World Trade Center of New Orleans, and so many others support this bill because they recognize the value that the bill stands for and the resources it brings to our workforce, and what it does to combat recidivism and give people an opportunity to have a true second chance to be productive citizens while filling a void in our workforce. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from Greater New Orleans, Inc., the National Ocean Industries Association, and Refined Technologies in support of the TWICE Act as a commonsense approach to alleviating systemic labor shortages in the maritime, transportation, and energy sectors. September 14, 2026. Re Support for H.R. 5109, the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Efficiency (TWICE) Act. Hon. Andrew Garbarino, Chairman, House Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member, House Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Garbarino and Ranking Member Thompson, The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), Refined Technologies, Inc. (RTI), and Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) write to express our strong, shared support for H.R. 5109, the TWICE Act. The TWICE Act is scheduled for consideration under suspension on the House Floor during the week of September 14, and we urge passage. The bill offers a practical, commonsense approach to alleviating systemic labor shortages in the maritime, transportation, and energy sectors. The bill works to improve the labor participation rate through efficient access to well-paying employment pathways while preserving national security. The TWICE Act does not change who is eligible for a TWIC card, it simply advances more efficiency in the redress process. Approximately 62 percent of applicants do not 

Referenced legislation: HR5109, HR5109