Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) announced that the bipartisan TWIC Efficiency (TWICE) Act introduced by himself and Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation will improve access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program by assisting those currently in Federal, State, or local prisons through the TWIC card application process to gain this credential needed for specific transportation sector jobs.

“I am incredibly proud that my colleagues passed the TWICE Act, a bill which I know will have a lasting impact in Louisiana and across the country,” said Rep. Carter. “So many jobs in the United States require a TWIC card just to work behind a secure facility’s gate, and this bill gives returning citizens a fair shot and ensures that workforce training can improve people’s lives.”

“A man’s character shouldn’t be measured by how he falls, it should be measured by how he stands back up. By cutting red tape and streamlining access to the TWIC program, this legislation will address maritime and transportation workforce shortages in the Gulf of America and Louisiana waterways while extending a second chance to formerly incarcerated Americans,” said Rep. Higgins. “I commend Congressman Carter for his leadership on this effort and hope my Senate colleagues will swiftly deliver these reforms to President Trump’s desk.”

Background

The TWICE Act would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to:

• Develop guidelines to improve returning citizens' access to the TWIC program.
• Develop guidelines to assist individuals in custody to pre-apply for TWIC cards and to assist those requesting an appeal or waiver after issuance of a “Preliminary Determination of Ineligibility.”
• Provide a briefing to Congress within a year on improvements to access to the TWIC program.

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program was created by the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002 as a response to September 11th and extenuating concern over national security. TWIC remains critical to national security by regulating access to maritime facilities and vessels. Across the country, there are 13,825 vessels and 3,270 facilities under MTSA’s jurisdiction. These facilities are often major employment hubs – ports, terminals, factories, refineries, power plants, and more.

TWIC assists in controlling workers’ access, like those involved in the surface transportation of containers in or out of ports or those involved in the construction, maintenance, or operation of adjacent facilities and their associated infrastructure. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) manages TWIC card applications. In total, 2.3 million Americans have TWIC cards, and about 500,000 Americans enroll per year.

TWIC cards are often required for employment in high-demand professions for which labor is in low supply. Facilities within MTSA’s jurisdiction are critical to the supply chain yet are egregiously affected by labor shortages. Nationally, as of October 2023, there is a 2-million-person gap between job openings and unemployed workers, and the labor participation rate has fallen from 67% in 2000 to 62% today.

Before issuing a TWIC card, TSA will conduct a security threat assessment to determine a person’s eligibility. Applicants with criminal records, depending on the offense, will be temporarily or permanently disqualified from the TWIC program. According to TSA, individuals in the custody of Federal, State, and local prisons are not eligible until after they are released from custody. After, they will receive a “Preliminary Determination of Illegibility” for one-year post-release, regardless of offense. Applicants may appeal a preliminary determination and go through a redress process, and TSA issues a waiver in most circumstances.

Based on a TSA-verified sample, approximately 98% of applicants are issued a TWIC card, including redress cases. However, approximately 62% of applicants do not respond to redress notifications. Only 0.1% of those requesting redress are denied due to TSA standards. The redress process is burdensome and often takes months for TSA to review conviction details, circumstances, and proof of rehabilitation. Assisting applicants with the redress process – and minimizing the number of applicants going through this process – can accelerate hiring, increase the labor pool, and reduce TSA’s administrative burden.

Nearly 30% of American adults have a criminal record, yet adult incarceration nationally has declined by 30% in the past decade. Just in Louisiana, about 13,000 formerly incarcerated persons are released back into communities each year.

The TWICE Act is endorsed by American Trucking Association, American Waterways Operators, American Association of Port Authorities, World Trade Center of New Orleans, Transportation Institute, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), GNO Inc., Right on Crime, IMTT, The Cooper Group, Cooper Consolidated, Prison Fellowship, Riverview Boat Store - St. Louis barge company, We Work the Waterways, Central Ohio River Business Association (CORBA), Bayaud Enterprises, Bridgeways, Church World Service, Commercial Drivers License of California, Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, Conservation Corps of Long Beach, First 72+, JOB1 Business & Career Solutions, Justice & Accountability Center of Louisiana, JustUS Coordinating Council, Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration,  National Skills Coalition (NSC), New York Association of Training & Employment Professionals, REDF, Repowered, The Fortune Society, Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, The Los Angeles Regional Reentry Partnership, Valeo Vocation, Jobs for the Future, JustLeadershipUSA, and Reentry Working Group.

Read the full bill here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus, introduced a bipartisan House Resolution in recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

“This issue is important to me because every year, the Black community is disproportionately affected by prostate cancer. Specifically, Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as white men,” said Rep. Carter. “To address the disparities in prostate cancer outcomes, we must ensure at-risk populations have access to prevention, early detection, and treatment options. This disease does not have to be a death sentence. Together, we can increase awareness through campaigns like ‘Prostate Cancer Awareness Month’ and beat prostate cancer once and for all.”

“As a physician and Co-Chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, I’m proud to support this resolution. Prostate Cancer is one of the leading causes of death for men, affecting 1 in 8 men during their lifetime. As an ER Doctor, I have seen firsthand the devastation Prostate Cancer has on men and their families. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in leading this resolution once again to help break the stigma around seeking help and raise awareness of this horrible disease.” said Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA).

“Throughout my career as a physician, I saw firsthand the difference that early detection can make in the fight against prostate cancer,” said Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL). “Prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting American men, yet too many put off important conversations with their doctors about their risk and screening options. This September, I’m proud to once again join my colleagues in recognizing National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and encouraging men across the country to take charge of their health, know their risk, and talk with their doctor about what is right for them.”

“Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men,” said Rep. Lieu (D-CA). “It’s important to talk to a doctor about risk factors and getting screened, especially as you get older and the risk increases. Early detection can save lives. Making September National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is an important reminder for men to prioritize their health. I’m pleased to join the Men’s Health Caucus on this bipartisan effort.”

“Ensuring that our communities are informed about prostate cancer and early detection strategies is crucial to saving lives and protecting families,” said Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ). “As Co-Chair of the Men’s Health Caucus, I am proud to help lead efforts to designate September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and remain committed to making meaningful progress toward improving health outcomes and ending the stigma around men’s health.”

The full text of the resolution is below, and you can read it here.

“Expressing support for the designation of September 2026 as “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.”

“Whereas, more than 3,100,000 men have at some point been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are still alive in the United States;

“Whereas 1 in 8 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes and 1 in 44 men in the United States will die from prostate cancer;

“Whereas the Men’s Health Network advises that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed nonskin cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States;

“Whereas the American Cancer Society estimates that, in 2026, 333,830 men will be diagnosed with, and more than 36,320 men will die of, prostate cancer;

“Whereas 40 percent of newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases occur in men under the age of 65;

“Whereas the chances of developing prostate cancer rise rapidly after age 50;

“Whereas African-American men suffer from a prostate cancer incidence rate that is significantly higher than that of White men and have more than double the prostate cancer mortality rate than that of White men;

“Whereas having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles the risk of a man developing prostate cancer, with a higher risk for men who have a brother with the disease and the highest risk for men with several affected relatives;

“Whereas screening by a digital rectal examination and a prostate-specific antigen blood test can detect the disease at the earlier, more treatable stages, which could increase the chances of survival for more than 5 years to nearly 100 percent;

“Whereas only 32 percent of men survive more than 5 years if diagnosed with prostate cancer after the cancer has metastasized;

“Whereas there are typically no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer in the early stages, making appropriate screening critical;

“Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs has established 21 Precision Oncology Centers of Excellence in order to deliver precision oncology services to veterans suffering from prostate cancer;

“Whereas ongoing research promises further improvements in prostate cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment; and

“Whereas educating people in the United States, including health care providers, about prostate cancer and early detection strategies is crucial to saving the lives of men and preserving and protecting families:

“Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

“(1) expresses support for the designation of ‘National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month;’

(2) declares that steps should be taken—(A) to raise awareness about the importance of screening methods for, and treatment of, prostate cancer; (B) to encourage research—

(i) to improve screening and treatment for prostate cancer;

(ii) to discover the causes of prostate cancer; and

(iii) to develop a cure for prostate cancer; and (C) to continue to consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer; and

(3) calls on the people of the United States, interest groups, and affected persons—(A) to promote awareness of prostate cancer; (B) to take an active role in the fight to end the devastating effects of prostate cancer on individuals, families, and the economy; and (C) to observe National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

Background

Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus. Congressman Carter is joined by Co-Chair Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), and Vice Chairs Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Rob Menendez (D-NJ). The bipartisan Caucus is dedicated to raising awareness about men’s health issues, encouraging men and boys to take an active role in their personal health, and promoting legislation that will improve the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families.

The Men’s Health Caucus focuses on topics including mental health care, prostate cancer screening, traumatic brain injury, and urological health issues. The Caucus will continue these efforts to educate Congress and the public about important topics in men’s health.

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