Specifically, I am pleased that two provisions that I championed were included in this bill and the manager's amendment.

First, the legislation and manager's amendment will ensure that the Coast Guard adheres to sexual assault reporting standards, policies, and procedures that are consistent with our other services, and I am pleased that these reports will be made available to all of the committees of jurisdiction.

Sexual assault among our Nation's servicemembers is an extremely troubling problem, and I believe that the accurate reporting of these assaults, comprehensive policies and procedures for responding to these crimes are a critical part of addressing this problem.

And the second provision that I referred to will amend the port security title of the bill to make much-needed changes to the Transportation Worker Identification Credentialing program, or the TWIC card. I submitted an amendment to the Rules Committee on this topic, and I am glad that the chairman accepted it and put it in his manager's amendment. Thank you so much.

My provision does several things. It directs the Secretary to develop procedures with port owners and operators that will allow individuals who are in the process of getting their TWIC, but yet haven't received the card, access to secure and restricted areas as long as they are escorted. This will assist the many workers at our ports who are still unable to work, and many of them have been waiting to get that TWIC card, so it's important for them.

The provision also sets a 30-day limit for a time limit for processing the TWIC card application, and again, this is because it has taken so long when someone has applied to actually receive that card. In one case, one gentleman waited over a year to receive the card. It directs the Secretary to allow individuals to receive their TWIC card through the mail, sort of like we receive our reestablishment of our credit card rather than having to drive all the way back to the application center because for some people it could be 300 or 400 miles away. So why make a couple of trips when it could be sent through the mail and activated through the phone.

And, finally, the provision gives individuals greater access to TWIC enrollment by allowing them to submit their fingerprints to any Department of Homeland Security agency at any location rather than, again, having to go back to the enrollment center. This provision will help many individuals get back to work while protecting the security of our Nation's ports.

I thank the chairmen, both of you, for the time, and I ask my colleagues to support this important legislation.