The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) announced opposition to a legislative proposal that would hinder the further development of the Registered Traveler (RT) program in the United States to facilitate business travel and enhance air travel security. The amendment, filed by Representative Vic Snyder (D-AR) as the full U.S. House of Representatives considers the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reauthorization bill, would remove important language added during the House Homeland Security Committee's consideration of the TSA bill earlier this month. Section 234 in H.R. 2200 as amended by Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Chairwoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) and Subcommittee Member Daniel Lungren (R-CA) will enhance RT's risk management and traveler facilitation potential. Specifically, the provision would require TSA to consider how RT can be integrated into "risk-based aviation security operations," to reinstate security threat assessments and background checks for RT participants, and to review screening protocols "to realize the full potential of the Registered Traveler Program."

NBTA urges the House Committee on Rules not to schedule the amendment for a vote and further urges opposition to the amendment should it be considered on the House floor.

NBTA President & CEO, Kevin Maguire, CCTE, GLP, noted, "NBTA urges Congress to support the constructive language in the TSA bill, which would make Registered Traveler become a true risk-management tool for secure and efficient air travel, especially for frequent business travelers. RT has become popular among NBTA members and the travelers they support, and we are hopeful that RT will not only be appropriately regulated by Congress, but also expanded to additional airports in 2009. Time is money for corporate travelers, and the RT program can make air travel more predictable and convenient, while enhancing security for all Americans."

In the NBTA 2009 Government Agenda released in January, NBTA had urged, "Building on increased support from Congress and the executive branch, TSA should resume and expand the security threat assessments for RT members to allow for security checkpoint benefits." This recommendation came as part of NBTA's long-standing commitment to RT as a cost-effective, voluntary, and risk-management focused security program in a post-9/11 environment.